Applied research on seedling-based restoration of quaking aspen to promote natural fire breaks and water storage

Award: Applied Research on Seedling-Based Restoration of Quaking Aspen to Promote Natural Fire Breaks and Water Storage

Funding Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Federal Grant Program: BLM Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program Activities (CFDA 15.228)

Awardee: The Regents of the University of California, University of California, Berkeley

Award Amount: $179,000

Award Period: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2030

UC Berkeley will conduct applied research on seedling-based restoration techniques for quaking aspen forests to support hazardous fuels reduction and wildfire mitigation objectives. This five-year cooperative agreement aligns with the BLM's strategic priority of developing fire-adapted landscape restoration methods that reduce catastrophic wildfire risk while enhancing ecosystem services including water storage. The research will generate evidence-based restoration protocols and best practices for aspen regeneration as a natural fire-break strategy, supporting the program's broader landscape-scale approach to fuel management and community wildfire resilience.

The project includes coordination with South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), a sub-awardee responsible for field survey implementation, sample collection across the Central Sierra and Bodie regions, data consolidation, and project management support. SYRCL will conduct field sampling over a one-year period and maintain regular communication with UC Berkeley's research team on site selection, data specifications, and reporting requirements. This collaborative structure leverages UC Berkeley's research capacity with SYRCL's regional expertise and stakeholder relationships in the target restoration areas.