Wednesday April 29, 2026
Cal Poly Humbolt —
Environmental Science & Management Professor Jim Graham recently secured renewed support from CalTrout to expand a multi-year project in the Eel River watershed—a critical stronghold for salmonids and other species. The funding supports graduate student Farrah Tyler, who is leading the development of a Riparian Climate Refugia (RCR) dataset using geospatial modeling.
The project focuses on identifying “climate refugia,” or areas on the landscape that are naturally buffered from climate change impacts. These areas—often defined by cooler temperatures, dense canopy cover, and low human disturbance—can provide essential habitat where species are more likely to persist as conditions shift.
Using geospatial modeling, Tyler analyzes topographic, hydrologic, and land use data to understand how environmental conditions interact across the landscape. The results will help land managers refine priority areas for conservation and restoration throughout the Eel River watershed.
Tyler, who earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science & Management with an emphasis in geospatial science from Humboldt in 2024, has been involved in the project for several years. She first contributed to data accumulation as an undergraduate and is now building the full model for her graduate thesis.