Forests
Learn About Berkeley Forests
Berkeley Forests operates six research forests throughout the state to develop and test appropriate management strategies for forested watersheds that will flourish under different climate change scenarios. Berkeley Forests is home to the oldest permanent forest plots (1915) and longest running forestry summer camp (1917) in the Western United States. Support our mission by contributing to the Berkeley Forests Fund which is directly allocated to forest management research and education efforts at our properties.
Fire
Understanding Fire in California
Given the importance of fire in many ecosystems, along with our dependence on and development into inherently fire-prone landscapes, we need to reach a sustainable coexistence with wildfire. Our goal is to develop and disseminate science-based solutions to wildfire-related challenges.
News
Prescribed burn was first at Whitaker’s Forest in half a century
Berkeley Forests researchers who manage Whitaker’s Forest, as they intentionally set fire at the site for the first time in over 50 years. The prescribed burn was carried out to advance research as well as to serve as a maintenance treatment following a 2021 wildfire in the area.