UC WMRC STATION POLICY
Updated February 2026
Applicants should carefully review our rates, rules & regulations, advisory notices, and WMRC open data sharing policy, which requires researchers to register their project’s metadata, before deciding to apply. Lab users must review the lab safety instructions.
UC WMRC will not allow access to its facilities until a user project & visits have been approved by WMRC Staff and copies of all necessary annual permits (e.g., animal use, USFS, BLM, etc.) have been secured. There are limitations on how the station may be used. We do not accept applications for personal or recreational use (that includes birthday parties, retirement parties, or vacations). We do not provide employee housing to outside agencies. You must provide a project summary and have active institutional support. The UC WMRC’s mission is to support research and teaching in the region.
Visits must be submitted in the UC Natural Reserve System (UCNRS) reservation database (RAMS) at least 10 business days prior to the arrival date. Last-minute reservations may not be approved. Reservations are honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Visits are not official until they are approved in RAMS. Before submitting a reservation, check with the WMRC Scheduling Coordinator (not RAMS) for the availability of the requested dates at (760) 873-4344 or wmrcinfo@ucla.edu
- For RESEARCH applicants: if you have more than one research project or participants paying from different funds, you must file a separate project for each project/fund. The approximate duration of the proposed research project must be noted in RAMS.
- For CLASS and FIELD TRIP applicants: a separate reservation must be submitted for each visit.
- For all other visits: a visit must be submitted for each trip.
In addition, all users must sign a UC Risk Management liability waiver before using any station facilities. Release agreements for minors must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. It is the responsibility of the group leader to find out who in their group must sign a release agreement and to ensure that they are on file with the reserve prior to the proposed visit. Not following our terms and conditions may result in additional charges on your final invoice. - Please note that you are responsible for keeping all your RAMS applications, reservations, user contact information, and financial information up to date & accurate. Reserve staff heavily depend on the accuracy of user information in RAMS to determine food order quantities, lodging assignments, billing, and scheduling. Failure to do so will result in additional charges being made to you.
- CANCELLATION POLICY: WMRC reserves the right to charge applicants for the dates and number of participants stated on their reservation unless changes are emailed to wmrcinfo@ucla.edu at least seven (7) days prior to the arrival date on the reservation.
- VISIT REVISIONS: users must send an email to wmrcinfo@ucla.edu notification stating modifications or additions to invoicing PRIOR to arrival, this will reduce the time spent by staff billing users. Failure to do so will result in being charged additional fees.
- NO CAMPFIRES, due to dangerous drought and fire conditions, campfires, stoves, and other open-flamed devices are prohibited on ALL station grounds, NO EXCEPTIONS.
- SMOKING and vaping are prohibited on all station grounds per the University of California – Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment Policy 5/11/2021
- FIREARMS are prohibited on any UC property at any time, pursuant to the California Penal Code, Sections 629.9 (h) and 629.9 (I).
- PETS will not be accommodated at WMRC, but there are options for boarding your pet in Bishop. WMRC Staff may request special permission to have their pets on Station grounds.
- ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE times are 12:00 P.M.
- FOOD is not allowed in dormitories due to deer mice and Hantavirus. Please keep your food in designated areas and keep the kitchens tidy.
- VISITORS are allowed on a short-term basis and with prior approval from WMRC Main Office staff.
- QUIET HOURS daily from 10:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M.
- WMRC is not responsible for lost or stolen personal items.
- WMRC has very limited accommodation for long-term users accompanied by family. We cannot guarantee privacy to individuals or couples and may not be able to accommodate children because most of our lodging is in dormitories. Children must be fully supervised by their parents or guardians whenever they are at the Center.
- Groups and individual researchers are required to participate in kitchen/housekeeping chores for ALL spaces used by the group. Leaders of each group should organize a schedule for their groups to help with kitchen details. Please see the cook for specifics. At the time of departure, group leaders and individuals must ask a WMRC staff member to inspect their living quarters and bathrooms for cleanliness. Users who do not comply with this policy will be charged the current staff assistance hourly rate to cover staff time for cleaning up.
- PLEASE NOTE CELL SERVICE IS SPOTTY IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS, so call before you head up Highway 168. Please call if you are going to be late (after 6:00 P.M.).
Annual Summary of Research Project: Please provide the following information by the following June 30 of each year (the summary and list of publications will be published in the UCNRS Annual Report, UCNRS Zotero database, and our annual newsletter). A summary of your research accomplishments, including the title of the project, a list of all participants and their affiliations. A list of your current publications based on research done on the reserve (complete references), any conference proceedings, abstracts, and technical reports (one bound copy only of theses and dissertations), resulting from your research. Please acknowledge the UC NRS, UCLA White Mountain Research Center in any publication resulting from use of the reserve.
• Source of funding for your project, dates of funding, and the funding amount.
• Reprints and brief abstracts of all work completed in the eastern Sierra/White Mountain region should be sent or e-mailed to: Gaylene Kinzy (wmrcinfo@ucla.edu), UC WMRC, 3000 East Line Street, Bishop, CA, 93514.
WMRC Code of Conduct
EXPECTED BEHAVIOR
- ALL reserve users, staff, students, faculty, volunteers, and vendors are to be treated with respect and consideration, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.
- Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow users. Please notify WMRC staff if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
- Remember, not only are you a representative of your institution, but WMRC as well!
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
- Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
- Physically, verbally, or emotionally abusing any reserve users, staff, students, faculty, volunteers, or vendors.
- Verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, neurodivergence, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, or national origin.
- Unwelcome physical contact.
- Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in or around WMRC spaces.
- Threatening or stalking of any reserve users, staff, students, faculty, volunteers, or vendors.
Non-UCLA Contacts
Wild Iris Family Counseling & Crisis Center, Bishop, CA
24/7 Hotline 1(877) 873-7384
UCLA Contacts
UCLA Office of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Report an incident: https://equity.ucla.edu/
General Guidance: (310) 825-3935