Forestry - Swanton Pacific Ranch - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo * Skip to Content * ? * Current Students * Prospective Students * Parents * Business Community * Faculty & Staff * Alumni my CalPoly login * Quick Links * Contact Us * Operations * SP Railroad * Events * Forms * Fuels Training * Contact * Maps * * Swanton Pacific Ranch A living and learning laboratory fostering Learn by Doing. * About * Fire Recovery * News * Giving Back to the Ranch * Fuels Management Training Program Home : Ranch Operations : Forestry Ranch Resources * About the Ranch * Ranch Operations * Forestry * Forest Management * Monitoring * Ranch Maps * Natural Resources * Documentation * Livestock * Crops * Swanton Pacific Railroad * News To provide Cal Poly students, faculty, staff and the public with a unique interdisciplinary environment in which to foster the Learn by Doing philosophy by providing educational experiences on a working ranch, supporting diversified agriculture and forest resources while maintaining the integrity of ranch operations.   —Our Mission Forestry Management Objectives * Maintain health and integrity of forest resource, inclusive of all native flora and fauna, and preserve its function in the watershed * Continue to manage the property as a demonstration, educational, and research forest facility for the University * Maintain forest certification with the Forest Stewardship Council ®  (FSC ® ) * Continue stand transition from even-aged composition to uneven-aged composition * Maintain species composition with emphasis on increasing conifer stocking levels. Enhance natural regeneration levels through planting, as deemed necessary. * Maintain economic viability of management activities through periodic selective harvests. * Maintain condition of tractor trails, roads, and landings so as to minimize the necessity of new construction. * Maintain access throughout the property to better facilitate interim management activities and educational activities. * Minimize effects of surface erosion on roads, landings and tractor trails. * Enhance and maintain visual aesthetics of the forest. * Illustrate a high standard in the logging and closeout associated with harvest entries. * Preserve and promote the ethic of land stewardship in all management activities and decisions. Forested lands at Swanton Pacific Ranch are comprised of approximately 1400 acres in Scotts Creek watershed. The forest stands of predominantly second growth Redwood and Douglas-fir are managed to maintain ecosystem function and to commercially produce 2nd growth redwood logs and lumber. Heavy logging occurred during 1909 through 1921 and supported the rebuilding of San Francisco following the 1906 earthquake. Some stands continued to be logged through the 1970s. Today, Swanton Pacific Ranch is pleased to support best management practices (BMP's) resulting in FSC certification. Cal Poly students develop skills and gain understanding of the forestland management and the timber industry through a variety of educational outlets. Field trips are a great way to bring classroom learning to life. Related Content Support SPR How You Can Help News * Inaugural San Luis Obispo Prescribed Fire Training Event Brings Cal Poly, Diverse Partners Together to Burn and Learn * Goats are the Latest Land Management Tool in Preventing Wildfires * Intro to Field Research and Conservation  * Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch Receives $4.7 million Grant to Assist with Post-Fire Recovery Efforts, Increase Fire Resilience Strategies See All News Swanton Research Resources on Digital Commons * Explore the research resources available Cal Poly's library Digital Commons   CONNECT WITH CAL POLY * CP Home * Directory * Campus Maps & Directions * University Store * Calendar * Employment * Campus Policies * Contact Us * Privacy Notice * Web Accessibility Statement * Title IX © 2026 California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, California 93407 Phone: 805-756-1111