Oak woodlands are some of California’s most important landscapes. They support high biodiversity, provide services like carbon storage and water regulation, and hold deep cultural value. But many oak woodlands are increasingly threatened by invasive annual grasses. These grasses can crowd out native wildflowers, build up dry “thatch” that carries fire, and alter how these ecosystems function.

The historical management of agroecological systems, such as California's rangelands, have received criticism for a singular focus on agricultural production goals, while society has shifting expectations to the supply of multiple ecosystem services from these working landscapes.