UC Davis forest ecologist Hugh Safford stumbled upon California’s highest-altitude tree, a Jeffrey pine, in the High Sierra in 2024 and vowed to return to untangle the mystery of how it got there and what it reveals about a changing climate. When he and a team of UC Davis researchers returned in the summer of 2025, hiking more than 240 miles and climbing 24 peaks in search of high-elevation Jeffrey pines, writer Kat Kerlin accompanied them for four days to document their journey and the significance of their findings for forest ecosystems.
From the Judges
This entry combined compelling storytelling, striking imagery, and exceptional production quality. We felt it truly represented a complete package, supported by strong metrics that demonstrate its impact. The thoughtful use of a multimedia approach further elevated the work and contributed to its overall effectiveness.
