We are requesting to conduct a Department of Ocean Sciences graduate student retreat at the Big Creek Field Reserve from September 26th through September 28th, 2025. The purpose of our visit is to welcome new graduate students and promote a strong sense of community and peer support among the UCSC Ocean Sciences graduate students. Visiting the reserve will be an invaluable opportunity for new graduate students to learn from their peers about the natural history of the Big Sur coastline. We hope to explore the natural beauty of Big Sur as part of our efforts to build connections and rejuvenate our spirits. During the three-day, two-night retreat, we have planned both structured and unstructured activities to facilitate the above-stated goals, including ice-breakers, several hikes, and ocean-related activities, as well as peer mentor/mentee projects.

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