The Pelican — Rosewood Nature Study Area Reopens Under a New Nonprofit

By Aly Lopez

The Rosewood Nature Study Area has entered a lively new chapter, and this local gem is open to the public once again. We spoke with Peter Woodruff, Chief Executive Officer of the Great Basin Institute, to get the inside scoop.

Hours of Operation

The Rosewood Nature Study Area officially re-opened on Friday, June 5th, with an open house to celebrate the area’s outdoor recreation and educational opportunities.

Visitors are welcome to explore the property's ~4 miles of trails (including loops) Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There is no entry fee. Trail surfaces include a mix of pavement, dirt, and packed and loose gravel. Please note that dogs are not allowed. The City's Adaptive Cycling Center is also open through September. 

Brief History of Rosewood

From 1991 to 2015, this 220-acre marshland area was home to an 18-hole municipally owned golf course. It was decommissioned and closed due to the construction of Veterans Parkway, which bisects the property. It is currently owned by the City of Reno and is under temporary oversight and care of the Great Basin Institute in a one-year agreement.

The Great Basin Institute (GBI), headquartered in Reno, is known for its conservation efforts, environmental research and stewardship, and educational outreach. GBI has over 900 field personnel annually across a dozen western states, with the majority of the field-based workforce in the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada. Its projects include trail restoration and ecological assessment and monitoring of the Basin’s rangelands and endangered species.

Images above provided by Peter Woodruff.

Preparing to Reopen Rosewood

GBI and Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB) hosted multiple community cleanups at Rosewood in preparation for opening to the public. 

Peter Woodruff, CEO of GBI, expressed gratitude to the volunteers who donated their time and resources to make reopening possible. “We are very excited about our partnership with the Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance (NNBA) to enhance the habitat and educational opportunities at Rosewood. We appreciate and share your commitment to this special community treasure,” he said.

Volunteers at the April cleanup event at Rosewood, hosted by KTMB and GBI.

Rosewood’s Restoration Status

Currently, GBI is responsible for maintaining the trails and facility, and overseeing public access and site security. Restoring the area's 200-plus acres to a healthy wetland habitat will require substantial sustainable funding, joint planning with community partners, and volunteer support. “Past efforts suffered not for lack of human-powered support (the commitment in the community for restoring Rosewood is inspiring!) but primarily the collapse of Truckee Meadows Park Foundation. … It’s a big loss, and it will take time to renew the human networks and funding that were lost in their dissolution,” Woodruff explained.

Many Amazing Creatures Call Rosewood “Home”

Visitors are encouraged to explore and observe the wonderful sights and sounds of nature all around the property. Rosewood is home to a diverse array of birds and wildlife. From songbirds and waterfowl to shorebirds and raptors, you’re likely to encounter many different species during your visit. Strolling alongside the water, you may witness jumping carp and diving muskrats, or marmots peeking through the rocks. You may hear the call of an elusive Virginia Rail as a Cliff Swallow swoops overhead and lizards scurry through the sagebrush. 

 A Double-Crested Cormorant dries its feathers as a family of goslings swims by at Rosewood. Photo by Aly Lopez.

Future of the Rosewood Nature Study Area

The City of Reno is competitively verifying the long-term lease for the property to determine which organization is best suited to meet the property's unique offerings and demands, including protecting and preserving the natural environment.

“We believe GBI is uniquely suited to administer this public recreation site, focused on the restoration of a functioning wetland and habitat for native flora and fauna, while also hosting and engaging the public through service events, workshops, and more,” said Woodruff.

As far as what the future holds for Rosewood, Woodruff explained, “That is an evolving concept, and one we are eager to have collective input on from the City of Reno, our GBI Team as the current tenders of the landscape, and perhaps most importantly, from the wider community who enjoys these trails, lakes, and the wild inhabitants.” 

There is hope to develop future exhibits showcasing the site's native flora and fauna, subject to available funding. GBI is actively launching fundraising efforts, prioritizing both indoor and outdoor enhancements. “Hundreds of staff hours have been devoted to returning the space to health and safety standards, so educational materials will be in the next chapter, once the baseline functions are revitalized,” Woodruff said. 

GBI is eager to resume community events with partners such as the NNBA, as well as new partnerships with UNR and other groups aiming to further the mission of environmental education and research across Nevada and the West.

Volunteers help prepare the Rosewood Nature Study Area for opening during a cleanup event.

Ways to Get Involved

GBI plans to host events for the public throughout the year. Additionally, Sierra Nevada Journeys is collaborating with GBI to run its Summer Day Camp as they have the past few summers at Rosewood. Other new partnerships and restoration projects are on the horizon, pending the Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

To stay updated on upcoming events and volunteer opportunities at the Rosewood Nature Study Area, be sure to follow the Great Basin Institute on social media: @GreatBasinInstitute. You can also visit GBI’s website for future projects, updates, and donation opportunities.

Community support has been vital to Rosewood’s revival. GBI and its partners are excited to welcome everyone back and continue building a thriving, accessible, and educational natural space for all.