The Center for the Future of Forests and Society presents the first lecture in the CFFS Speaks Fall 2025 series!

How hot is too hot, and how dry is too dry? Assessing tree and forest resilience and vulnerability to extreme heat and drought in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest

Wednesday, Oct. 22
4-5 p.m. in PFSC 315
Reception 5-6 p.m. in PFSC Treehouse

Dr. Chris Still will examine how extreme heat and drought events are shaping forests across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Drawing on his research in forest-climate interactions, he will discuss the importance of understanding the resilience and vulnerability of tree species and forests to heat and drought extremes, and of identifying the potential of different tree genotypes and species for climate-resilient and adaptive management. The talk will also feature initial results on plant heat and drought tolerance from the new CFFS project.

Still holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University and conducted his postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Before coming to Oregon State, he was an associate professor in the Department of Geography at UC Santa Barbara. He is currently a professor in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at OSU. His research integrates modeling and measurements and has many aspects related to climate and global environmental change.