UC Berkeley Landscape Climate Adaptation Plan
The Landscape Climate Adaptation Plan (LCAP) for the University of California, Berkeley is a campus-wide framework that guides the evolution of one of Northern California’s most iconic heritage landscapes in response to accelerating climate change.
As the campus faces prolonged drought, extreme storm events, increasing temperatures, wildfire risk, and a diminishing coastal fog layer, the plan establishes site-specific strategies that align daily stewardship with long-term climate projections and resilience goals.
Through the lens of species health, longevity, ecological performance, habitat value, and cultural significance, the team evaluated the existing campus canopy and understory alongside UC Berkeley’s planning vision and sustainability goals. Developed in collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and technical experts, the plan delivers climate adaptive plant palettes, tree succession strategies, and implementation tools that support phased renewal. It equips teams—from campus planning leadership to expert consultants to maintenance teams—with practical guidance to sustain both the landscape’s spatial character and its evolving ecological systems.
The plan strengthens cross-campus connections through planting, reinforcing and enhancing campus cohesion amongst distinct legacy spaces.
SCAPE is developing strategies and identifying site opportunities to protect and enhance UC Berkeley’s cherished heritage landscape.
The plan was developed in collaboration with a well-rounded steering committee, including both the campus planning team and operations staff.
Client
University of California, Berkeley
Collaborators
WRA
SBCA
Awards
ASLA-NCC: Award of Excellence - Analysis & Planning (2026)