What do you picture in your mind when you read the words "stunt ranch"? If you're like most people, you might imagine it is a place where actors learn and practice stunts or a place where stunts are filmed for television or movies. But it's not.

 

Stunt Ranch is the name of the property that was homesteaded by the Stunt family, who came to the United States from Kensington, England. In 1885, the Stunt brothers built a small cabin on their property that is thought to be the first building in the Cold Creek area of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Do you know what homestead means? The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed the U.S. government to give a piece of land to a pioneer who would farm it, build a house on it and live on it. After five years, the pioneer owned the land.

 

Now, 120 years later, a big part of Stunt Ranch is owned and run by UCLA as an outdoor classroom and living laboratory. Classes and experiments take place outside, where students learn about plants, animals and the environment. Education programs are coordinated by the Cold Creek Docents. Tours can be booked by calling (818) 346- 9675, Ext. 34. A free curriculum guide is available at http:// compphys.bio.uci.edu/patrick/stuntranch/mainpage.htm.

 

This learning link was provided by Carol Felixson, director of education/community outreach, UCLA Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve. For general information, call (310) 206-3887 or visit http:/ /nrs.ucop.edu/Reserves/stunt.html.