CDFW Science Institute

CDFW Science Institute logo

Advancing scientific capacity, quality, and excellence in support of CDFW’s mission.

The mission of CDFW is to manage California’s diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.  Science is a critical foundation for meeting this mission. As outlined in its 2021-26 Strategic Action Plan (PDF), the CDFW Science Institute works with internal and external collaborators to expand and enhance CDFW's scientific capacity to inform biodiversity management and conservation.

The Science institute also leads and engages in initiatives to support California’s unique biodiversity, which faces risks from climate change and other pressures. Given the nuance required to safeguard California’s diverse natural resources from these potential hazards, the Science Institute encourages a multi-pronged approach. This includes enhancing the natural landscape’s resilience to climate change; promoting carbon mitigation on natural and working lands; and coordinating with other agencies and organizations to choose the best approaches. The Science Institute is also supporting biodiversity conservation efforts department-wide, is engaged in California’s 30x30 initiative, is a main partner in the California Biodiversity Network, and collaborates with other organizations to increase and improve biodiversity data collection and availability. This informs biodiversity conservation and management practices, while raising public awareness through community science efforts.

The Science Institute provides opportunities for the public to learn about the importance of science at CDFW for informing mission-related decisions, initiatives, and programs. This includes the monthly Conservation Lecture Series.

The right-side panel offers information about important topics and how CDFW addresses them.

man releases birds into grassland
scientist working in lab
scientist taking data under water
scientists measuring water depth
vet tending burnt paws of bear
person holding leopard shark

CDFW's scientists engage in research and resource assessment practices to inform:

  • Biodiversity conservationyellow and white flower
  • Climate change risks and resilience
  • Environmental regulations and permitting
  • Fish and wildlife health
  • Forensics for environmental law enforcement
  • Game, non-game, fisheries, and timber species management
  • Human-wildlife conflict management
  • Outdoor recreation best practices
  • Species and population genetics
  • Status and recovery of endangered species and ecosystems
  • Toxic spill response
  • Wildlife and fisheries genetics

Science Spotlight

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recognized a CDFW senior environmental scientist for his role in the historic effort to return endangered winter-run Chinook salmon to the McCloud River for the first time since construction of the Shasta Dam in the 1940s.
Thu, 25 Jan 2024 14:32:53 Z
If California’s hibernating bat species make it through this winter with a full, undisturbed hibernation cycle, there are a few CDFW scientists who may be sleeping soundly as well.
Wed, 30 Aug 2023 10:47:12 Z

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News and Activities

Science Supportdragonfly

The Science Institute works on many fronts to support scientific capacity within CDFW, including:

  • Offering consistent and broad access to published scientific literature to encourage consideration of the latest peer-reviewed information in management decisions.
  • Providing comprehensive information about barriers to terrestrial wildlife connectivity, using consistent criteria to prioritize their mitigation.
  • Supporting implementation of the Department’s Scientific Data Governance Policy, for reliable centralized data storage, sharing, and management.
  • Supporting the use of advanced scientific tools, protocols, and analyses for efficient, effective, and benign data gathering. These include genetic techniques and the use of UAS [unoccupied aircraft systems (drones)], wildlife cameras, and acoustic sensors, for example.

Biodiversity

hand holding fish in waterThe October 2020 State executive order (N-82-20) directs the California Natural Resources Agency to form a  California Biodiversity Collaborative of experts, leaders, and communities to pursue a unified approach to protecting biodiversity and develop strategies to support the conservation of 30% of California’s lands and waters, each, by 2030. This work will be advanced by two key partnering organizations: the California Biodiversity Network, which includes academic/education, tribal, scientific, and government experts, who represent California institutions that prioritize biodiversity stewardship and inquiry; and the California Biodiversity Council, which works with state and federal government agencies to identify pathways for protecting biodiversity through agency programs, investments, regulations, and policies.

Biodiversity Day

California Biodiversity Day takes place annually, on September 7th, to mark the anniversary of the 2018 launch of the California Biodiversity Initiative. This event celebrates California’s exceptional biodiversity and encourages actions to protect it. Biodiversity Day celebrations feature “open houses” at reserve sites throughout the state, including CDFW properties and state parks. Many of these events include “bioblitzes,” during which community science participants identify as many species as possible in a specific area, during a certain time period, via the iNaturalist app (which is curated by the California Academy of Sciences). Please visit the California Biodiversity Day webpage for additional information and upcoming events!

Climate Change

Lake view with trees and water, and their reflectionIn 2020, over 850 CDFW employees from across branches, programs, and Regions, participated in a climate change survey. Their responses highlight current departmental climate change adaptation activities, as well as climate-related science and information needs. To help meet those needs, the Science Institute is working to increase access to climate information, broaden the Department’s capacity for communication, and offer relevant training for CDFW scientists.

State Wildlife Action Plan

The Science Institute is evaluating the level of alignment between CDFW-funded grant projects and the conservation priorities it outlined in the 2015 California State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP 2015 Update). Not only will this help determine how much progress has been made towards achieving SWAP 2015 conservation goals, but the analysis can be used to support adaptive management--a process of scientific inquiry, whereby the latest information and evidence inform management techniques, for the greatest efficacy. SWAP is a living document that must be updated every decade. Understanding how much progress has been made towards implementing SWAP 2015 sets the stage for a reevaluation of current conservation strategies for the SWAP 2025 Update, including a deep focus on specific ecosystems. The SWAP 2025 Update will also integrate the aforementioned efforts on climate change resilience and biodiversity conservation. Additionally, the Science Institute is developing guidance to help users easily navigate the main SWAP document, with a focus on its most highly prioritized objectives.

Science Institute Team

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

  • Science Institute Lead - Christina Sloop, PhD
  • State Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator - Junko Hoshi, PhD
  • Climate Change Specialist - Whitney Albright, MS
  • Interim Biodiversity Coordinator - Dena Spatz, PhD
  • Field Team
    • Nicole Cornelius, MS
    • Ryan Bourbour, PhD
    • Phillip Smith

Contact: Science.Institute@wildlife.ca.gov

Services

Science Support Servicesotter on back in water

The Science Institute supports scientific work at CDFW by:
  • Developing resources to increase scientific capacity, including expanding access to scientific literature; and facilitating advanced education and research partnerships with universities
  • Creating opportunities for science-oriented professional development and mentorship, including providing training and support for publication in scientific journals
  • Supporting scientific and other professional exchanges, including organizing biannual CDFW Science Symposia, and creating communication tools for a connected CDFW scientific community
  • Promoting an inclusive and diverse community of scientists
  • Offering facilitation support for scientific program planning, including the development of a Science Action Strategy that addresses priority research, monitoring, and modeling needs
  • Supporting the California Fish and Wildlife Journal and facilitating independent scientific peer review
  • Providing visibility of CDFW science activities to the public

Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity Conservation Services

The Science Institute supports work related to climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation at CDFW by:
  • Facilitating climate change risk assessments for CDFW lands and waters
  • Developing and sharing best practices for climate change resilience at CDFW
  • Supporting a network of coupled climate-biodiversity sensors and assessments on selected CDFW sentinel sites
  • Offering expertise, communication, and guidance for climate change resilience and biodiversity conservation
  • Representing CDFW in the greater climate change adaptation and biodiversity arenas
  • Participating in the California Biodiversity Collaborative and Network
  • Supporting and tracking the implementation of State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP)
  • Coordinating the SWAP 2025 Update

Science Institute Advisory Team

close-up of field of purple flowers with blue sky aboveRepresentatives of CDFW Regions, Branches, and other departmental units come together during regular Science Institute Advisory Team (SIAT) meetings to provide input to the Science Institute team. SIAT members also serve as liaisons between Science Institute staff and other science or technical staff throughout the Department, with the goal of developing and maintaining a close-knit community of scientists at CDFW. Ultimately, SIAT members support scientific integrity throughout the Department by participating in related activities with the Science Institute.

The SIAT aims to maintain an open forum for communication about science-related topics and needs at CDFW, with the following objectives:  

  • Facilitate the development and coordination of CDFW scientific priorities, including the identification of needed science resources for supporting the Department's mission.
  • Ensure scientific quality, as well as integrity and transparency in science-based decision-making.
  • Facilitate independent scientific peer review and promote peer-reviewed publication of scientific work produced by or through CDFW.
  • Support professional exchange, scientific collaborations, and partnerships, both internally and externally.
  • Promote science-based adaptive management.
  • Conduct outreach and education about CDFW's diverse scientific endeavors.

Focus Teams

close of dark colored lizard on rocks and foilage.Science Institute Focus Teams (SIFTs) gather cross-cutting teams from the Department to address specific priority topics, through working forums:

Climate Change

Enhances communication and staff support regarding climate change, in order to integrate climate science and adaptation strategies into Departmental programs. Discovers climate change information needs and develops solutions to address them.

Habitat Connectivity

Enhances communication and coordination regarding wildlife and fish habitat connectivity. Identifies, researches, and disseminates information about habitat connectivity data and priorities in California, and supports their integration into conservation decision-making.

Data Sharing & Management

Implements the CDFW Scientific Data Governance Policy, including developing and providing a repository for preserving Department-generated or funded data in a searchable, centralized, data cataloguing and storage system.

Literature Access

Develops strategies to provide expanded (near-term) and universal access (long-term) to scientific literature for CDFW staff.

UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems)

Addresses the scientific use of UAS (drones and associated sensors) for supporting CDFW's mission. Main topics: 1) Prevention of wildlife disturbance from UAS usage; 2) UAS use and methodologies in the context of surveillance; 3) UAS technical support; and 4) using UAS to foster efficiencies, safety, and economy.

Science Symposium

Organizes and hosts the CDFW Science Symposium every other year. This includes venue contracting; abstract solicitation and review; program scheduling; coordination with IT; organizing networking events; etc.

Quality in Science

The Science Institute's five-year Strategic Action Plan, internal policies, guidelines, and programs ensure scientific quality at CDFW.

bee hovering near yellow sunflowerThe 2021-26 Science Institute Strategic Action Plan (PDF) provides a framework for achieving two main goals, in fulfillment of the Science Institute’s mission to advance scientific capacity, excellence, integrity, quality, and transparency, in support of CDFW’s mission-related decisions, initiatives, and programs. The first goal focuses on working with CDFW scientists to increase the Department’s scientific capacity; supporting scientific training and professional exchange; establishing four-year scientific priorities; sharing CDFW's scientific activities with the public; and building a diverse, connected scientific community that reflects California’s demographics. The second goal focuses on harnessing CDFW's scientific capacity and expertise, along with its partners', to develop a biodiversity conservation and climate change response strategy for the Department; track progress on the Department’s implementation of the 2015 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) to conserve and restore species and ecosystems; and complete the next SWAP Update by 2025, which will ensure continued access to State Wildlife Grant funds from the federal government.

Current scientific policy, guidance, and programs which ensure quality in science:

Priority actions to be implemented in 2021-22:

  • Developing a CDFW Science Action Strategy; outlining priority science needs to inform decisions; evaluating the effectiveness of CDFW's work; and advancing the management of species, ecosystems, and the Department's scientific staff.
  • Releasing a summary report of CDFW Climate Change Survey results and recommendations.
  • Reporting on the successes of CDFW grant programs in implementing State Wildlife Action Plan priorities, which will inform the 2025 SWAP Update.
  • Installing a climate-biodiversity sensor network (e.g., weather stations, tide gauges, trigger cameras, acoustic sensors, etc.) on wildlife areas and ecological reserves statewide, to inform adaptive management and climate change resilience measures.
  • Developing classification-specific science training curricula and science mentorship opportunities.
  • Planning the 2022 CDFW Science Symposium.

CDFW Scientific Periodicals

See subject pages (links to the right from Birds to Reptiles & Amphibians) for additional publications.

California Fish and Wildlife cover

Biogeographic Data

Labs and Research Centers

Scientific Job Board

Please visit the California Department of Human Resources for a full listing of scientific job opportunities with CDFW.

black snake with white rings coiledScientific job classifications include:

  • Environmental Scientist
  • Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
  • Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisor)
  • Research Scientist
  • Scientific Aid
  • Environmental Program Manager
  • Veterinarian
  • and more...