[2] The reserve is used for natural science research and education as it includes a wide range of native ecosystems, such as vernal pools, chaparral, and coastal sage scrub.

Administered by the University of California, Santa Barbara, it is a unit of the University of California Natural Reserve System.

[2] The reserve hosts researchers, classes, and relevant meetings at a small complex of buildings in the field station.

The reserve hosted the Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) held November 12-19, 2022 and November 10-19, 2023 with a controlled fire by firefighters.

The training on how to safely conduct prescribed burns, seminars on local fire ecology, and tribal burning included Santa Barbara County Fire Department, employees of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, The Nature Conservancy, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Vandenberg Space Force Base, scientists, ranchers, students, researchers, and land managers.