Nature & Conservation

From California to the Congo Basin, we use everything from advanced genomics to ancient tree rings to study the world’s complex, beautiful and dynamic ecosystems and how to protect them.

Magazine

Iroro Tanshi, 39 stands for a portrait near a limestone cave in Etankpini village in Odukpani

Dr. Iroro Tanshi Awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize

Dr. Iroro Tanshi, recipient of the Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award, has been honored with the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in recognition of her extraordinary leadership in wildlife conservation and environmental advocacy.

In the News

Headline

Application Open for the 2027 La Kretz Center Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Applications must be submitted by September 28th to qualify for the two year fellowship.

California poppies in promotion for the UCLA La Kretz Center's 2027 postdoctoral research fellowship

Blog

Mapping Faith, Flourishing, and the Environment in Los Angeles

Modern scientific research and its discourse fails to adequately embrace the emotional, spiritual and affective impacts of the existential issues of Earth’s future habitability.

landscape image of Westlake Los Angeles with birds flying across the water

Headline

New York Times Highlights Bird Evolution Study Co-Authored by CTR and IOES Researchers

The New York Times highlights research co-authored by CTR and IOES scientists Kirsten Ruegg, Rachael Bay, and Tom Smith on the evolution of manakins’ spectacular courtship displays.

New York Times Highlights Bird Evolution Study Co-Authored by CTR and IOES Researchers

Headline

Joseph Curti Speaks on Sierra Club Climate Dispatch podcast

La Kretz Postdoctoral Fellow Joey Curti recently sat down with Climate Dispatch to discuss how Southern California bat populations are impacted by artificial light.

Climate Dispatch podcast promotional image. Featuring Joey Curti, Don Jolley, and Mary Lunetta.

Headline

Devon DeRaad awarded James G. Cooper Early Professional Award

Congratulations to La Kretz Postdoctoral Fellow Devon DeRaad on this prestigious award and for being recognized for his work investigating bird speciation.

Devon DeRaad smiling in front of a building

Videos

Video: Expert insights on the causes, impacts and aftermath of the L.A. wildfires

UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and and UCLA’s Sustainable LA Grand Challenge recently hosted a virtual seminar addressing the historic wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles in January 2025.…

Travis Longcore for ABC7 News—Efforts to Save the Birds We are Losing

Bird populations across the United States are plummeting at an alarming rate, with three billion birds lost since 1970, according to UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability professor Travis…

Publications

Genomic and physiological changes in a sexually selected and frugivorous bird radiation

C. Balakrishnan, Y. Toda, M. Ko, M. Wirthlin, R. Driver, P. Bolton, E. Miller, D. Mendez-Aranda, R. Dikow, P. Frandsen, E. Shogren, K. Bennett, H. Anderson, M. Bursell, J. Cramer, K. Sadanandan, T. Nakagita, M. Pizo, D. Caetano, M. Anciães, C. Ferreira, J. Berv, K. Long, H. Lim, A. Moncrieff, S. Kingston, N. White Carreiro, S. Friedrich, C. Cuta, J. Pease, A. Nevue, C. Tomlinson, A. Zimin, M. Louder, M. Brewer, R. Bay, K. Ruegg, T. Smith, Y. Ishimaru, A. Pfenning, C. Frankl-Vilches, M. Gahr, C. Mello, R. Kimball, E. Braun, J. Blake, L. Day, T. Ryder, I. Moore, B. Horton, B. Schlinger, M. Fuxjager, W. Warren, E. DuVal, W. Boyle, B. Loiselle, M. Braun, M. Baldwin

Current Biology, Volume 36, Issue 12, p3061-3076., 2026.

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