Improving the resilience of pinyon-juniper woodlands through community collaboration.

Background
PiCCA Team
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What is the PiCCA Network?

Pinyon-juniper woodlands are widespread throughout the southwestern U.S. and are at risk from drought, wildfire, and other environmental changes. These woodlands are ecologically critical to the region, and are central to the worldviews and cultural practices of many Tribal communities.

Through the Pinyon Community Climate Action (PiCCA) Network, we are taking an interdisciplinary approach that uplifts Tribal and community voices to strengthen the resilience of these woodlands in the Eastern Sierras and the southwestern U.S. more broadly.

Project activities:

  • Eastern Sierra Land & Community Survey

    We administered a household survey from Fall 2024 to Spring 2025 throughout Mono, Inyo, and Alpine counties to better understand how communities use and value the land around them.

    Survey results will be used to ensure community voices are heard in land management and planning.

    For more information, see the Eastern Sierra Land & Community Survey (ESLCS) page.

  • Pinyon pine sampling across species range

    Over the summer, a team of ecological researchers sampled pinyon trees throughout the species range and along elevational gradients.

    We hope to understand how location, climate, genetics, and stand structure might influence tree health and seed production. This will inform stewardship activities and potentially allow us to predict pine nut production.

  • Building out a woodland monitoring network

    Using a community science monitoring app created by the Bishop Paiute Tribe, we are building out a monitoring network for pinyon-juniper woodlands!

    Community members are using the app to log information about tree health and pine nut production, which can help flag vulnerable areas that are a high priority for Tribal stewardship.

  • Community interviews and focus groups

    Throughout summer 2024, we conducted one-on-one interviews and small focus groups with stakeholders throughout the Eastern Sierra to discuss relationships with the land, land stewardship, and adaptation to environmental change.

    This summer, we are collaborating with the Bishop Paiute Tribe and Washoe Tribe to conduct focused community interviews about pinyon pine and climate resilience.

  • Elevating Indigenous-led stewardship

    The Bishop Paiute Tribe, Big Pine Paiute Tribe, and Washoe Tribe are each leading work within their nations to identify pinyon-juniper woodland sites for Tribal stewardship and conservation, and engage the broader communities to share knowledge and values.

    Key learnings from this process will be shared with project partners, and will inform stewardship activities in the future.

  • A hand grabbing a pinyon pine cone.

    Pinyon seed collection and seedling grow-out

    In Fall 2025, we collected pinyon pine seeds throughout the Eastern Sierra region. Most of these seeds are in storage at UC Berkeley and Calfire's LA Moran Reforestation Center, and we are beginning to grow some of them out to seedlings.

    We are currently pursuing initiatives to plant some of these seedlings as part of pinyon reforestation efforts throughout the region. If you are interested, please reach out to Dr. Miranda Redmond at mir@berkeley.edu.