With the semester getting back into full swing the campus is a buzz with activity.

With all of the changes, students and faculty are not the only ones getting used to us being back. Deer, snakes, bats, and many of the other wildlife that inhabit our 928 acre campus are also adapting. With this in mind, mindful consideration is urged knowing what you can encounter on our campus is important even for those that don’t take advantage of the lovely trail system our school has. 

With our campus being left as an unofficial wildlife refuge there is still often deer and fawn strolling through campus. I asked our natural resource professor and deer biologist Ricky Witsell for tips on what students should do if they get the special chance to see our resident deer. “Don’t get hyper focused on the deer. Be aware of your surroundings. There is more than just them out there. There is always the possibility of a mountain lion as that is their principal food source though unlikely.”

While deer have been the most common sighting it is a rare semester when a rattlesnake has not found their way onto campus. The best advice is the most simple: be aware of your surroundings and as our Chief Carlson said “Maybe keep the ear buds out, rattlesnakes give a pretty clear signal they’re there.” So should you see one give it space. If in a high traffic area please call the campus police on the non emergency line at (530) 895-2351.

With the fall season just under way it is important to note that the poison oak on campus does take on a variety of different forms, from the vines to the blue oaks or the large green bushes. It is less known that when the plant goes dormant for the winter it turns to bare twigs that have the same itch effect due to the urushiol oils the plant secretes. 

With the trail systems that our school has developed across our campus, what should students consider when headed out?

• Water- with the temperature currently exceeding 100 degrees student should take water for even a short walk.
• Foot wear- while flip flops are great for main campus when exploring choose close-toed, slip resistant shoes.
• Sun protection- sunscreen and sunglasses, while not necessary, are important for a fun experience.