Join us for Lessons from Lotusland, our ongoing series of virtual lectures.
Lessons from Lotusland: Oaks and Climate ChangeWednesday, April 2, 20255:30 - 6:30PM PST
Presented by Victoria Sork
Oaks are a critically important species, sustaining the biodiversity of many ecosystems in California. These trees evolved over 50 million years ago and successfully responded to climate fluctuations, however temperatures are increasing more rapidly then they can evolve, creating local climates that are stressing current oak populations. This webinar will discuss the ongoing research of a signature California tree, the Valley Oak, and the threatened Channel Island Oak, documenting the current health of oak populations and presenting management strategies to produce healthier populations in the future.
Reserve your space now for this free program to learn more about California's native oaks and support this research.
Victoria L. Sork
Director, UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden
Distinguished Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Distinguished Professor, Institute of Environment and Sustainability
Former Dean, Life Sciences, UCLA College
University of California Los Angeles
Professor Victoria Sork is a plant biologist, evolutionary geneticist, and conservation scientist who studies how long-lived trees will survive rapid climate warming, with a special focus on the evolutionary success of oaks. Author of ~150 publications, her research has investigated all aspects of natural processes shaping the survival of natural tree populations in temperate and tropical habitats. Since 2001, Victoria has been a professor, chair, and then Dean, and now has the pleasure to be the Director of the UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden and Herbarium.
Sork received her B.S. from the University of California, Irvine and her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Throughout her career, Victoria has been dedicated to advancing conservation science, promoting inclusive excellence in education and research, and advocating for student and faculty diversity. She acknowledges and respects the relationship of Native Peoples with the ecosystems and plants of California.
