The Berkeley campus intends to pursue Proposition 84 matching funds, and use these resources to develop Blue Oak Ranch into a state-of-the-art reserve.  Within the first year, we plan to convene a workshop that brings together potential researchers and 'green' facility designers to craft a vision for how Blue Oak can be developed and used.  We anticipate that the first priorities will be to (1) upgrade the road system to ensure all-weather access, (2) install a photovoltaic power system with backup generator, and (3) develop a communications and data backbone, most likely employing wireless data and voice-over-IP communications via a line-of-sight long-haul wireless link to an internet node either at Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton, or at an ISP in San Jose.  Our staff have experience with similar wireless communications systems at both Sagehen Creek Field Station and the James Reserve. 

We expect that the facilities to be constructed at Blue Oak Ranch will include a residence for the on-site reserve director, overnight facilities for at least 12 researchers, (in 6 double rooms), a class-use dormitory for up to 25 students, a communal kitchen and dining area, an indoor classroom that seats at least 35, an outdoor meeting space, and several small laboratories.  We hope to involve graduate students from Berkeley's Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning in the design process, with the goal of making BOR's facilities fit into the surrounding landscape as much as possible.

The entire ranch is "off the grid" for power, water, and sanitation, so all of these facilities will be designed with energy self-sufficiency in mind.  We hope to involve faculty and students from Berkeley's Green Building Research Center in this effort, along with researchers from the Building Energy Efficiency group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.  Efficient, 'green' facilities will not only help control running costs and reduce the reserve's environmental 'footprint', but can also demonstrate the potential of these technologies, as part of Blue Oak Ranch's broader mission in public education and outreach.