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Guide to the Robert M. Norris Papers
MS-13
MS-13
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Table of contents
Title: Norris, (Robert M.) Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MS-13
Contributing Institution:
C.H. Muller Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
5.0 Linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1966-1993
creator:
Norris, Robert M.
Robert M. Norris was Professor of Geology at UCSB from 1952 to the early 1980s and the first chair of the Department of Geology
from 1960-64. He taught physical geology, geomorphology, geology of California, and a field mapping class.
He was very active in the development of the UC Natural Reserve System and served as director of the Santa Cruz Island Field
Station (now a UCSB reserve) from 1970-75. He chaired the UCSB NLWRS Faculty Advisory Committee (also called Chancellor’s
Administrative Committee on the NRS) from 1978-1992 and helped create the UCSB NRS academic plan in 1979. He was also a member
of the UC NRS University-wide Advisory Committee from 1972-1991 and the Management Sub-Committee for Granite Mountain Reserve.
Some of his work on the California Desert Conservation Area Advisory Committee is included in this collection.
The Norris papers provide a solid picture of the early administration of the University of California Natural Land and Water
Reserve System (NLWRS) and its growth and development into the UC Natural Reserve System (NRS). Many of the files are concerned
with the role of the UC campuses within the system and the creation of a system wide academic plan as well as campus academic
plans. Notable documents include the 1978 Academic Plan, a report by Kenneth Norris called
The Importance of the Natural Reserve System to the University of California, and files on the 1989 MOU signed by the Interagency Natural Areas Coordinating Committee on ways to identify and manage California’s
natural areas. Other notable documents include the 1991
Final Report of the Natural Reserve Steering Committee on Long-Range Planning that reflects the current administrative structure, staffing, and roles of the system wide and campus offices.
As Norris was the chair of UCSB's campus advisory committee for so many years, there are quite a few files on the establishment
of UCSB's reserves: Sedgwick Ranch, Santa Cruz Island, Valentine Ranch, Coal Oil Point, and Carpinteria Salt Marsh. There
are also a number of files about non-UCSB reserves and potential reserve acquisitions. Also included are administrative files
on budget, annual reports, correspondence, management plans, and committee minutes.
Collection is arranged alphabetically as one series. Folders are mostly chronological.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Collection transferred from the UCSB NRS Office, which received it from Norris.
A number of published materials were removed from this collection and transferred to the CCBER Library. They include:
91 brochures from various reserves; 15 publications including annual reports, management plans, and bibliographies; 35 issues
of
Transect; and Annual Reports from UCSB Natural Reserve System from 1980-1993.
Finding aid created with support from the National Science Foundation and University of California Office of the President.
Collection processed by Laurie Hannah and Olivia Heir.
Robert M. Norris Papers, MS-13. Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration, C.H. Muller Library. University
of California, Santa Barbara.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Cheatham, Norden H. (Dan)
Ferren, Wayne R.
Norris, Kenneth S., (Kenneth Stafford)
Samuelson, J. Roger
University of California Natural Reserve System.
University of California, Santa Barbara. Natural Reserve System..