The mission of the Natural Reserve System is to contribute to the understanding and wise management of the Earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research, and public service at protected natural areas throughout California. UC Santa Barbara manages seven diverse reserves including the Valentine Eastern Sierra Reserves (VESR), which consists of two sites, Valentine Camp and the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory (SNARL), located 15 miles apart near Mammoth Lakes in the eastern Sierra Nevada. VESR provides protected wildlands, on-site experimental facilities, and support facilities for conducting studies of natural systems over a large part of central and eastern California as well as western Nevada. Gifts to VESR support K-12 outreach programs, staffing, and general maintenance.