Pacific Southwest Research Station

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Science that makes a difference.

The Pacific Southwest Research Station is a world leader in natural resources research through our scientific excellence and responsiveness to the needs of current and future generations.

We represent the research and development branch of the USDA Forest Service in the states of California and Hawaii and the U.S. affiliated Pacific Islands. Our primary work occurs in California (the most populous state with the fifth largest economy in the world) and Hawaii (a strategic location in the Pacific Rim economies and tourism). Our mission is to develop and communicate science needed to sustain forest ecosystems and their benefits to society.

Alex Friend Forest Service Announces New Director for California and Hawaii R&D - U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell recently announced that Dr. Alexander Friend has accepted the position as Director of the Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW) in Albany, California, effective Sept. 24. Dr. Friend is currently the National Program Leader for Climate Change Research on the Forest Management Science Staff in the Forest Service's Washington Office. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the National Budget Coordinator for Forest Service Research and Development. He is a recent graduate of the Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program. He has a strong background in science, was a project leader in Houghton, Michigan. at the Northern Research Station, and a professor at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. Chief Tidwell notes that "Alex Friend's broad knowledge of science and Forest Service issues, as well as his political and business acumen, will position him well to lead PSW as their next Station Director." [read the full news release.]

Natural Inquirer Cover Natural Inquirer Features PSW Research Scientists in Hawaii - Learn about all the great research taking place on the Hawaiian Islands, from koa conservation to native tropical forest restoration. Scientists at the Pacific Southwest Research Station’s Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry in Hilo, Hawaii shared their knowledge and findings in the current issue of Natural Inquirer. Created as an interactive teaching tool for middle school students, Natural Inquirer is chock-full of insightful information appropriate for both adults and kids alike. The publication contains articles, factoids and activities which presents science in a fun and engaging way. Download or order copies from the Natural Inquirer web site.

FS Chief Tidwell presents check to Oakland's Urban Releaf. Urban Releaf Receives U.S. Forest Service Grant for Greening Projects - U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell presents on Aug. 20, a check for $181,000 to Kemba Shakur, executive director of Urban Releaf, in support of the organization's greening efforts throughout the city of Oakland, California. Since 2003, the Pacific Southwest Research Station has applied its research to assist Urban Releaf on numerous urban forestry projects, including a multi-phased watershed project designed to reduce stormwater runoff and improve the quality of water entering San Francisco Bay; and a demonstration project using engineered soil to promote tree growth, reduce conflicts between tree roots and sidewalks, treat urban runoff and reduce potable water use in urban landscape irrigation. Urban Releaf, an Oakland-based urban forestry/environmental non-profit organization committed to the revitalization of communities through tree planting, garden projects and environmental education, will use the funds to continue work on these and other projects.

Prescribed burn at the Tahoe National Forest. (Photo: Steve McKelvey, U.S. Forest Service) New Study Shows that Fuel Reduction Treatments Pose Little Risk to Forest Ecology - A recent paper in Bioscience co-authored by USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station researcher Dr. Chris Fettig and scientists from six universities in the U.S. and Australia have shown that forest fuels treatments such as prescribed fire and mechanical thinning which are now commonly used to treat stands in order to increase their resiliency to wildfires, can, indeed, be implemented with few unintended consequences. The scientists analyzed a broad spectrum of ecological markers, detailing the effects of fuel-reduction treatments on vegetation, soils, wildlife, bark beetles and carbon sequestration, while relying heavily on data from the U.S. Fire and Fire Surrogates Study, in addition to other research. [read the full news release.]

Sources and Science: A Guide to Experts at the Pacific Southwest Research Station

The Pacific Southwest (PSW) Research Station carries out the research and development mission of the USDA Forest Service in California, Hawaii, and the U.S.- affiliated Pacific Islands. From the southern chaparral, montane Sierra Nevada, and coastal redwood ecosystems of California, across the ocean to the tropical wet and dry forests of Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, our scientists and professionals are dedicated to enhancing knowledge of complex natural resource issues and communicating this knowledge to society.

Browse this inaugural edition of our "experts guide" to meet our researchers, discover the diversity of the scientific work that we do, and see how our science is making a difference—today and tomorrow.

Missed it when it was new? Browse the What's New archive.

Cover image Standiford, Richard B.; Weller, Theodore J.; Piirto, Douglas D.; Stuart, John D, technical coordinators. 2012. Managing Sierra Nevada forests. Proceedings of coast redwood forests in a changing California: A symposium for scientists and managers. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-238. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Cover image North, Malcolm, ed. 2012. Managing Sierra Nevada forests. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-237. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 184 p.

Cover image Kliejunas, John T. 2011. A risk assessment of climate change and the impact of forest diseases on forest ecosystems in the Western United States and Canada. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-236. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 70 p.

Global Climate Change

Pacific Southwest Global Change - Learn about climate change research and related activities conducted by scientists at the PSW Research Station.
Scientists talking about climate change - Video topics emphasize information of interest to wildland managers and others who want an understanding of the interaction among climate change, forests, wildfire, water supplies, fish and wildlife, and associated values, and the implications for wildland management.
Pacific Southwest Research Station and Region 5 Sustainable Operations Survey Report - Read the results of our sustainable operations survey. Current participation in sustainable operations efforts and ideas for increasing success are presented. For more information contact Pat Winter pwinter@fs.fed.us.