The San Joaquin Experimental Range is an ecosystem research experimental area in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The range is located in O'Neals, California

O'Neals, California

O'Neals is an unincorporated community in Madera County, California. It is located on Willow Creek west of Raymond, at an elevation of 1309 feet .The O'Neals post office opened in 1887. The name honored Charles O'Neal, merchant and first postmaster....

, outside of the Sierra National Forest

Sierra National Forest

Sierra National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located on the western slope of central Sierra Nevada in the state of California. The forest is known for its mountain scenery and natural resources. Forest headquarters are located in Clovis, California...

 about 32 kilometres (20 mi) north of Fresno, California

Fresno, California

Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

.

The San Joaquin Experimental Range was established after a statement on the need for an experimental area in the San Joaquin Valley foothills was prepared in 1934. The initial purpose for the San Joaquin Experimental Range was to learn how to better manage these lands. San Joaquin lands were purchased in 1934 (1387 hectares (3,427 acre)), with additional purchases in 1936 (16 hectares (40 acre)) and 1937 (372 hectares (919 acre)). In 1938, another 64 ha were obtained under authority of the Weeks Forestry Act

Weeks Act

The Weeks Act is a federal law passed by the US Congress on 1 March 1911 in the United States. The law, introduced by Congressman John W. Weeks of Massachusetts, authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to "Examine, locate and recommend for purchase ... such lands within the watersheds of navigable...

. Of these, 32 ha have been designated as a Research Natural Area. The San Joaquin is managed cooperatively by the Pacific Southwest Research Station and California State University

California State University

The California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...

's Agricultural Foundation, primarily for research and education. Facilities include limited conference facilities, office space, barracks, and storage space available for approved research.

The range's administration is located at:
San Joaquin Experimental Range
USDA Forest Service
Sierra Nevada Research Center
2081 East Sierra Avenue
Fresno, CA 93710

with a research and lab located at:
San Joaquin Experimental Range
California State University-Fresno
School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
2385 East Barstow Avenue
Fresno, CA 93740