International Oak Society Announces 2025 Grant Awards to Advance Global Oak Research and Conservation

The International Oak Society (IOS) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 grant awards, which will fund critical research, conservation, and education initiatives aimed at preserving oak species and their habitats worldwide. These grants are part of the Society’s ongoing commitment to supporting the study, protection, and sustainable management of oak trees, which are vital to biodiversity and ecosystem health across the globe.

Nineteen projects will be funded through the IOS’s Oak Conservation and Research (OC&R) Fund, established in 2019 thanks to the generosity of Mark and Jolly Krautmann. The Fund received additional support from appeals to IOS members, as well as support through a designation of 10% of membership fees to increase the conservation efforts of the IOS.

The Fund's success has created an awareness of the need for oak conservation and the importance of education and community engagement where oaks and people live together in sustainable partnerships. Past results of earlier projects and a list of the projects currently funded can be viewed here.

Over $180,000 is being distributed to research and conservation efforts where oaks are significantly understudied or facing serious conservation threats. 

“The OC&R Fund is accomplishing exactly the type of conservation work the IOS envisioned and more,” says Tim Boland, Chairman of the IOS OC&R Committee.

The grants involve threatened species, including Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, and Near Threatened oaks. The grants also support projects where species have not been adequately surveyed or studied (Data Deficient). These assessments often result in a species needing greater study or conservation efforts.

Since its establishment, the OC&R Fund has made remarkable contributions to oak research and conservation.

“We are thrilled to support these varied projects, which reflect the broad scope of research and conservation efforts underway to protect and understand oak species,” said Roderick Cameron, President of the International Oak Society. “Oak trees are keystone species in many ecosystems, and these projects are critical to ensuring their future and the health of the biodiversity they support. The IOS has always been proud of its origins as an international group of oak enthusiasts, so we are particularly pleased that the work we are supporting spans the globe, from Baja California to Vietnam, and from India to Cost Rica, to name just a few of the locations where oak conservation and research will be funded.”

The IOS would like to thank the outstanding review team of oak experts who shared their valuable time reviewing thirty-six submitted proposals.

Susana Valencia-Avalos
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México | UNAM, Department of Biology

Michael Eason
Vice President of Conservation and Collections Vice President of Conservation and Collections
San Antonio Botanical Garden

Dr. Xiao-Long Jiang
Associate Professor, Central South University of Forestry & Technology

Callie Jo Schweitzer
PhD, Research Forester, Forest Service, USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station

Elizabeth Thomas
Polly Hill Arboretum Research Associate
University of Georgia Graduate program PhD in Integrated Plant Sciences 

“There has never been a more crucial moment to support and engage in efforts to conserve oak trees for future generations. In the USA, we are currently facing challenges to our traditional funding sources from government agencies,” adds Tim. “This situation is not unique to the USA. Looking towards the future, the OC&R Fund will continue to lead these efforts.”

Please consider supporting this critical work through a donation to the OC&R Fund. For more information on the 2025 grant recipients and their projects, and on how to make a donation, please visit the IOS website at www.internationaloaksociety.org

The IOS Oak Conservation and Research Committee: 
Tim Boland (Chair)
Amy Byrne
Phillip Douglas
Dirk Giseburt
Mark Krautmann
Charles Snyers
Murphy Westwood