The 2026 State of the Science of Land Repurposing workshop builds on the October 2024 workshop that brought together researchers, practitioners, NGOs, and agency partners to explore the scientific foundations of land repurposing. Workshop 1 focused on orienting participants to land repurposing efforts in the Central Valley, sharing implementation perspectives through panels, and identifying key gaps and research needs associated with the landscape transition in California. Outcomes from that workshop include two papers currently in development as well as strong interest in continuing cross-sector dialogue around pressing research and practice needs.

The workshop will focus on exploring the drivers and uncertainties of the landscape transition and advancing land repurposing research and practice. Through panel discussions, oral presentations, and poster presentations, it will emphasize:

• Cultivating a shared understanding of land repurposing 

• Highlighting current and active research alongside implementation experience

We anticipate participation from practitioners and implementers, environmental NGOs engaged in science and implementation, researchers working across spatial or temporal scales, and students interested in land repurposing and integrated water and land management.

Through this workshop, we hope to better connect research findings to on-the-ground practice, policy, funding, and project design and foster new collaborations among researchers, practitioners, NGOs, and students.

This workshop is hosted by the Environmental Defense Fund and Secure Water Future, in collaboration with partners at UC Merced and across the Valley Institute for Sustainability, Technology & Agriculture (VISTA). Meals and refreshments will be provided.

More details coming soon!