UCCE Forest Research and Outreach

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UCCE Forest Research and Outreach You are the face of California’s forests- how can we empower you to manage your land?

University of California Cooperative Extension forestry provides research-based solutions to natural resource related problems through applied research, publications, meetings, conferences, workshops, demonstrations, field days, video programs, newsletters, and facilitation. We are a network campus and county based academics charged with extending university resources and information to local communities and at the same time, communicating the needs of local communities for forest research and outreach back to University of California researchers and administration. County based academics called "advisors" are located in forested communities and focus on delivering science based programs to serve local needs. Campus based academics including university faculty and extension specialists are located on the University of California Berkeley and Davis campuses. Feel free to use the contact information here to reach out to us with any questions or comments!

10/08/2026

These aren’t your typical fieldwork photos. During our recent webinar on Forest Soils, UC Davis researcher Rebecca Lybrand shared how her team is developing a method to merge field photos with lab testing to better understand soil biology.

To do this, Lybrand and the “Quantitative Field Photography” project team have tested various combinations of cameras, photo angles, and lighting strategies to find a standard for soil photos. When the photos are paired with lab results, they will provide a more holistic understanding of soil biology.

Hear about the other fascinating projects that Lybrand is heading by watching the Forest Soils webinar on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpj6X9eFGTA

We ❤️ working with CAL FIRE foresters, and after participating in our Forest Stewardship workshops, landowners do too. ...
10/07/2026

We ❤️ working with CAL FIRE foresters, and after participating in our Forest Stewardship workshops, landowners do too.

The Forest Stewardship workshop series equips forest landowners with the skills they need to effectively manage their forestland. This includes building a relationship with local forestry professionals!

During each workshop cohort, participants get to meet local CAL FIRE foresters and learn about programs like Forest Legacy and CFIP (California Forest Improvement Program) that can help them offset the cost of management projects. Some CAL FIRE folks even join field days to help participants sharpen their forest inventory skills!

Are you hoping to connect with forestry professionals in your area? Sign up for our community email list so you’ll be notified when the next workshop opens: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/4goVnY6

Here’s an exciting webinar opportunity for landowners and land managers in coastal forests. The Xerces Society is hostin...
10/06/2026

Here’s an exciting webinar opportunity for landowners and land managers in coastal forests. The Xerces Society is hosting a two-part webinar series on “Best Practices for Fuels Reduction in Monarch Overwintering Habitat”.

—WEBINAR DESCRIPTION—
Fuels reduction work is a common practice on the California coast to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, but when the work occurs in overwintering monarch butterfly habitat, special considerations should be taken. This two-part webinar series outlines best practices for fuels reduction work in overwintering monarch habitat for land managers and professional biologists.

Register for each session separately using the links below.

Best Practices for Fuels Reduction in Monarch Overwintering Habitat – Part One
Oct 20, 2026 12:00 - 2:00 PM Pacific
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4Euce3dgRoWSgEdkcf816w

Best Practices for Fuels Reduction in Monarch Overwintering Habitat – Part Two
Oct 21, 2026 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Pacific
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jOHLYb32RAScweGMBSO4cw

Foothill pine, ghost pine….a gray pine by any other name would still make weightlifting-level pinecones. According to th...
10/02/2026

Foothill pine, ghost pine….a gray pine by any other name would still make weightlifting-level pinecones. According to the U.S Forest Service, young cones can weigh up to 2 pounds!

Gray pine trees may not have the most luscious foliage, but they make up for that with their hardiness. Forest Service researchers have found that gray pines can grow in a wide variety of soils and with low moisture conditions. Their article on the species states that “Few conifer species can match Gray pine's ability to persist under such xeric, sterile conditions.”

One weakness of gray pines? Shade!

Gray pines are very intolerant of shade, with research finding that their growth will quickly slow when species with dense crowns are introduced to the same stand (species like ponderosa pine, blue oak, live oaks). Keep the gray pines sunny and spaced out, and they’ll be happy.

Learn more about gray pine management, reproduction, and disturbance agents on the Forest Service website: https://research.fs.usda.gov/silvics/gray-pine

Photos by U.S Forest Service.

As you enjoy your forest walks before the cold, wet weather arrives, consider bringing your phone along to do some fores...
10/01/2026

As you enjoy your forest walks before the cold, wet weather arrives, consider bringing your phone along to do some forest mapping!

Having accurate and up-to-date maps of your property is an invaluable tool for planning future management projects. Your maps don’t have to be complicated, and keeping them up to date can be as simple as uploading a pdf to your phone, and then taking photos while out and about among your trees. Avenza is an app for your phone that you can use for mapping, and we even have some handy tutorials to help you get started.

Visit our YouTube page for a video series on mapping with Avenza, which will walk you through basic settings and uses for forest landowners: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF0VajUgoFLkl5ZtUgIC4DkP_aOeArmn7&si=VnMxLcGDyksqCkdZ

Central Coast forest stewards: mark your calendars for this year’s Good Fire Fair! Bring your friends and family to lear...
09/30/2026

Central Coast forest stewards: mark your calendars for this year’s Good Fire Fair! Bring your friends and family to learn about beneficial fire through hands-on experiments, talks with local UC ANR experts, and games.

Learn more about the Good Fire Fair on the UC ANR Green Blog: https://ucanr.edu/blog/green-blog/article/goodfirefair2026

—Good Fire Fair Details—

When: Saturday, October 10, 2026. 10AM-3PM

Where: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton CA

Parking: $10 at the park

No online registration needed!

09/24/2026

In the Forest Stewardship workshop, we talk a lot about landowner goals and objectives- but what is the difference between the two?

A forest management goal is:
- Broad
- Something that reflects your wishes
- For example: I want to increase my forest’s resiliency to fire.

A forest management objective is:
- Specific
- An action
- For example: I will have a shaded fuel break put in along my forest road

A goal is what you hope your forest will be, an objective is what you will do to make it happen. Make sure to always get a professional opinion! Visit our staff page to find a UC ANR Forestry and Natural Resources Advisor in your area who can help you with your management goals and objectives: https://ucanr.edu/site/forest-research-and-outreach/contact

We are officially in autumn! Colder weather invites some warmer colors into the forest, and we’re excited to see these t...
09/23/2026

We are officially in autumn! Colder weather invites some warmer colors into the forest, and we’re excited to see these trees change leaf color. Are you planning a visit to see some fall-colored leaves? Check out the California State Parks website which has a great “Fall Colors” page that highlights some top spots to see red, yellow, and orange leaves: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23487

Pictured: Black oak (photo by USFS), black oaks in Yosemite National Park (photo by NPS), quaking aspen (photo by USFS), California buckeye (photo by Pacific Horticulture), bigleaf maple leaves (photo by USFS).

In need of something to watch during your lunch break? Resist the doomscroll and get into fall by letting a California G...
09/18/2026

In need of something to watch during your lunch break? Resist the doomscroll and get into fall by letting a California Ground Squirrel choose a Forest Stewardship webinar for you to view!

Webinar descriptions and links:

🫎Wildlife Camera Use for Forest Landowners covers camera setup, use, and current tracking projects at the CAL FIRE Jackson Demonstration Forest. Bonus: plenty of cute wildlife photos from landowners and researchers! Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23Xap8ufpDs&list=PLF0VajUgoFLmlI6LM3jWoFqCTNSmYk7L7&index=1

🌲Before you Buy Forestland, Part 1 covers what you should know about forest management before purchasing forested property. Get inspired by landowner stories, and be an informed buyer! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GnnxcFagpY&list=PLF0VajUgoFLmlI6LM3jWoFqCTNSmYk7L7&index=5

🐻Bears in the Woods covers bears in the post -fire environment and bear damage mitigation strategies. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-jkdxj4xPI&list=PLF0VajUgoFLmlI6LM3jWoFqCTNSmYk7L7&index=8

🌊Riparian Forest Habitat and Vegetation Management covers riparian habitat ecology, management rules and regs, and assistance for forest landowners. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4O7nwl1KKg&list=PLF0VajUgoFLmlI6LM3jWoFqCTNSmYk7L7&index=7

Whether you have white oaks, black oaks, or another type of oak, - you’ll want to check out our new Oak Woodland Resourc...
09/16/2026

Whether you have white oaks, black oaks, or another type of oak, - you’ll want to check out our new Oak Woodland Resource Guide!

If you are not sure where to start looking for oak woodland management advice, we recommend starting here. The resource guide gives an overview of Forest Stewardship materials that deal with oak woodland management, and provides information about the fabulous UC Oaks website. Visit and download the resource guide here:https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2026-09/FS_Resource_Guide_OakWoodlandFINAL.pdf

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