stormy meadows locatelli
We Harvest Knowledge
Berkeley has long been involved in engaging California’s populations with its forests. Conservation in this era of climate change is confronted by the reality that no ecosystem, no matter how remote or wild, is protected.
Stormy Meadows by Nicolas Shogo Locatelli

Forests

snow forest

Learn About Berkeley Forests

Berkeley Forests operates five 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.

Fire

prescribed burning ariel

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

What is a healthy forest in California? These scientists are experimenting west of Lake Tahoe.

January 24, 2022

Capital Public Radio's Manola Secaira talks to Berkeley Forests Faculty and Staff at Blodgett Forest Research Station to learn more how we define what makes a "healthy forest" and about the challenging tradeoffs that come with each management decision.