California State University, Fullerton
OP-T2-20: Wildlife Habitat

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS) is a 12-acre non-profit nature preserve, located in the heart of Modjeska Canyon, adjacent to the Cleveland National Forest. It is owned and operated by California State University, Fullerton (since 1969) under the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Its mission is to preserve the natural habitat and help educate others about the value of our natural resources in the hopes of creating environmental stewards for the future. TWS is a biological hotspot for native plants, and more than 70 species of birds have been recorded there, including 6 species of hummingbirds for which TWS is most famous. Benjamin Tucker is credited with inventing the first hummingbird feeder in an effort to keep humming birds at the sanctuary year-round. The Anna's Hummingbird is now a year-round resident. In addition to its native plants and birds, Tucker is home to dozens of native animal species such as the gray fox, bobcats, possums, racoons, lizards, snakes, the pepsid wasp, etc., which are all free-roaming. TWS serves as a research center for Cal State Fullerton students and faculty and hosted approximately 2,000 students from 9 college and universities in 2011-12. TWS provides a unique opportunity for college/university students to conduct field research "in the wild" surrounded by native habitat without having to travel a long distance. Tucker is open to the public 6 days a week for visitors to enjoy and learn about the environment, local wildlife and the natural habitat in the Southern California canyon area. The grounds include a Natural Science Center filled with educational exhibits, two ponds, a birdwatching porch, a "desert" garden, several native gardens, a "sensory" garden, a small amphitheater, a native plant greenhouse, and three trails. Partnering with the Irvine Ranch Water District, TWS has developed interpretive materials for three educational "gazebos" built on the grounds by Boy Scouts as Eagle projects. TWS staff are in the process of completing each gazebo as a mini-interpretive center, one focusing on native plants and their value in one's garden, another focusing on birds and their special adaptations and migration, and a final gazebo with the interpretive focus yet to be determined. Visitors will also find viewing tubes and interpretive signs throughout the sanctuary encouraging guests to look up, look down, look closer or even start a nature journal to learn and understand more about nature. TWS also provides school tours for nearly 3,000 Kindergarten - 6th grade students annually. Community group tours, workshops and special events are also offered at the sanctuary for the public. Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501C-3 non-profit organization.

This credit includes information for the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. Locations within the Institutional Boundary not included in this credit are the Main Campus, Irvine Campus, Downtown Santa Ana Arts Center, Fullerton Arboretum, the Desert Studies Center in Zzyzx, and the President's House. The reason for this is these locations are run via separate operations.