Help Safeguard the Future of Quaking Aspen

SYRCL is a partner on a new, exciting research project.

The Macrosystems Ecology Laboratory at UC Berkeley is launching a statewide initiative to safeguard the future of California’s most iconic and ecologically vital trees, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides).

As a vital component of healthy watersheds and meadow systems, aspen provides essential benefits, acting as a natural firebreak, protecting water sources, and supporting diverse plant and animal communities. 

Aspen is currently facing significant population decline across California. While many restoration efforts rely on existing roots (clonal regrowth), we recognize that long-term resilience also requires seedling-based restoration. This approach is essential for reintroducing aspen to lands where they have been lost and for ensuring the genetic diversity necessary to persist in a changing climate. 

Currently, there are no commercial aspen seedling production programs in the region. To restore these forests, we cannot rely solely on natural regrowth; we must develop a seedling-based restoration approach. To do this, our research team needs to bridge critical knowledge gaps regarding where seeds can be reliably collected and whether those seeds are genetically viable for future forests. 

Supported by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and our partners, our project aims to create a foundation for commercial seedling production. We are seeking partners — schools, local businesses, land managers, and residents — located near aspen stands to assist us during the Spring 2026 season. 

How you can partner with us! 

We are looking for “aspen ambassadors” to help with one or more of the following: 

• Monitoring (March–May 2026): Periodically visiting nearby aspen trees to track budding, flowering, and seed ripening. 
• Seed Collection: Assisting our team in collecting and shipping seeds from local populations. 
• Site Identification: Helping us delineate productive areas for wild seed sourcing. 

If you are located in California and are able to repeatedly visit one or more aspen trees between March – May 2026 and/or assist with collecting/shipping seeds from your trees, please fill out the Aspen seedling ecology volunteer intake form.

We value the expertise and time of our partners. Some financial compensation is available for monitoring and collection activities, and shipping costs will be covered. 

Project partners: Bureau of Land Management – California, Institute for Bird Populations, South Yuba River Citizens League, University of California Berkeley 

 If you would like to learn more about SYRCL’s participation please reach out to Anne Marie Holt, SYRCL’s Forest Conservation Project Manager at annemarie@yubariver.org.

Learn more about SYRCL’s aspen restoration projects here.