Climatic nuclei
Our team recently developed the theoretical framework of "climatic nuclei" — places on the landscape that already experience conditions projected to become widespread, and host the native species that will thrive and spread. In our focus on helping species threatened by climate change we needn't ignore those that could benefit. Supporting native, high cultural or biodiversity value species over invasive competitors can help shape future landscapes.
The climatic nuclei framework offers a spatial approach to identifying where conservation investment today can yield the greatest benefit in helping these species expand into future climates.
This work was published in Global Change Biology in December 2025 and is informing a new generation of California conservation planning tools.
Read the paper →
Harnessing a Species' Genome to Build Climate Change Resilience
We are working with the Meyer Lab at UCSC and the Sork Lab at UCLA to conduct the most extensive landscape genomics work yet on blue oak, with an eye toward understanding local adaptation to climate and informing conservation.
We are also developing a new initiative examining pollen-mediated gene flow and hybridization across the California white oak complex. This work would have direct implications for seed sourcing strategies and anticipating which population resilience.
Blue Oak Living Library
Acorns cannot be stored in conventional seed banks. But some of the most drought-adapted blue oak populations are already being lost as conditions exceed their tolerance thresholds. With no soil seedbank, once adults die-off these critical genetic resources cannot be recovered. The Blue Oak Living Library is a co-designed, community-based, cost-effective solution.
Working with Point Blue Conservation Science, ranchers, and other land stewards across California, we identify at-risk populations, rescue seeds, and outplant them in climate-safer locations. When those seedlings mature, acorns will be available for restoration wherever heat- and drought-adaptive traits are needed.
The Blue Oak Living Library was founded in 2018 and is entering an expansion phase as we approach its 10-year anniversary. Please get in touch if you would like to support this initiative by hosting a planting site, or contributing to the work.
Read the paper →California Futures
California lacks spatially explicit, species-level tools for anticipating risk in foundational tree species — where will these trees likely thrive and where will they be lost with climate change? California Futures is an emerging program to build that science, and translate it into a user-friendly interface so that all Californians can help envision and build our future.
