The Russell Research Station is nestled next to the East Bay Regional Parks Briones Regional Park,  and the cities of Lafayette and Orinda, in the coastal hills of Contra Costa County, California.  This station is only 25 minutes from the University of California main campus, and is commonly used for research  in forest genetics, forest pathology, tree physiology, fire ecology, silviculture, and vegetation ecology.  Facilities for teaching, forestry demonstrations, and university-sponsored events are available by prior arrangement.

This facility is 115 hectares (283 acres) of Coastal Woodland, Scrublands, Oak Woodlands, Grasslands,  Riparian areas and conifer plantations.  Elevation ranges from 215 m to 388 m (705 ft to 1272 ft).   Over 200 species of plants on the property provide habitat for 75 species of animals.

Four major soil types are found within Russell Research Station. The soils are derived from Miocene Rodeo Shale, Hambre Sandstone, and Pleistocene alluvial fans and fluvial materials.  Lodo clay loams, and Milsholm Loams cover the hillsides in varying depths, and are interspersed with Miocene rock outcrops.  Tierra Loam forms a deep soil layer in the bottomlands.  A small tributary of Bear Creek forms a narrow riparian area through the Station.

Weather data is available from nearby RAWS automated recording stations, and NOAA sites.  Annual precipitation averages 690 mm (26.3") with a range of 610-1870mm (23 - 74").  Summer temperatures range from 14°-C to 27° C (57°-80° degrees F) and winter temperatures from 0 C °to 14° C (32°-57° degrees F).

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