The Stone Center at UC Berkeley supports place-based “Living Labs” to test new approaches to conservation. These approaches use cutting-edge academic research and local expertise to solve real-world problems on private, Tribal, and public lands. 

Beyond Yellowstone Living Lab

Our first Living Lab is the Beyond Yellowstone Living Lab (BYLL), located in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Here, we primarily study wildlife population dynamics and barriers to migration (including fences and development). We foster unique collaborations between government officials, private landowners, Tribes, and scientists in the Greater Yellowstone area. These collaborations result in long lasting, positive outcomes for local people and wildlife. 

Check out a short video below from BYLL and Jackson Hole Land Trust that spotlights the benefits of conservation easements for local landowners. Conservation easements protect lands from development and have enormous benefits for wildlife migration and conservation.  

We share what we learn in the BYLL in peer-reviewed scientific publications, case studies, academic courses, educational convenings, policy recommendations, news articles, opinion pieces, and white papers. Some of our recent work includes:

• Developing new tools to de-risk wildlife occupancy on private lands (Regan et al 2024)
• Yellowstone Is Disappearing (New York Times op-ed)
• How does land development affect migratory ungulates? (research brief)
• Upper Shoshone Mule Deer Video Collaring Project (project update)

For the latest news and updates, as well as a list of our partners, please visit the BYLL website.

New Living Labs

We plan to launch a second Living Lab in California in the near future!