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Events & Partnerships

Climate Solutions Hackathon
The 4th Annual Wilkes Climate Solutions Hackathon will be Feb 27-Mar 2, 2026. The climate solutions hackathon challenges undergraduate and graduate students from any discipline to team-up and develop proposals in a slide deck within 24 hours.
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Wilkes Summit
The annual Wilkes Climate Summit at the University of Utah brings together leading policymakers, nationally-recognized scientists, foundations, and innovators to discuss the most promising and cutting-edge solutions for climate change.
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Speaker Series
The Wilkes Center Speaker Series provides a welcoming venue for scientists, researchers, and policymakers to discuss challenges and solutions for the defining issue of our age - climate change. The series seeks to create a platform for distinguished researchers to share insights, to foster meaningful opportunities for dialogue and collaboration, and to enhance awareness and motivate effective policy action.
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The Problem of Wildfire: What Solutions Can Science Offer?

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Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025 Time: 2:00 to 3:30 pm Location: Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy (L. S. Skaggs Applied Science Building, Suite W1204) Larissa Yocom, Executive Director,  Utah Forest Restoration Institute Abstract: Wildfire in the western US is an ecological phenomenon and a societal problem. Ecologically, many fires burn in areas where […]

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November 5, 2025

Our Mission & Focus Areas

Mission<br />Statement
Mission
Statement
The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy at the University of Utah strives to provide transformative, integrative, and cutting-edge science, education, entrepreneurship, and practical solutions to tackle climate change in Utah, the United States, and the globe. Researchers affiliated with the Wilkes Center are working on the defining issues of our age.
ABOUT US
Climate<br />Solutions
Climate
Solutions
In collaboration with stakeholders and multiple partners, Wilkes Center researchers analyze and innovate on climate solutions, aiming to inform policy in key areas of water resources, climate extremes, and nature-based climate solutions.
Climate<br />Impacts
Climate
Impacts
Wilkes Center scholars are illuminating climate impacts on local communities, economies, ecosystems, and human health in Utah and around the globe and are developing key tools to mitigate, adapt, and manage climate impacts.
Climate<br />Forecasting
Climate
Forecasting
The Wilkes Center aims to support and develop state-of-the-art science around near-term forecasts and longer-term projections of key climate changes with major societal impacts and to make this information available for decision-makers.

Climate Modeling Tools

Carbon Futures<br />Modeling Tool
Carbon Futures
Modeling Tool
This is interactive tool shows carbon storage potential in forests in the US.
Explore This Tool
Global Forest <br />Climate Risk Tool
Global Forest
Climate Risk Tool
This tool projects the relative risk to Earth’s forests globally during the 21st century based on multiple approaches, datasets, and climate change scenarios.
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US Forest Risks<br />Mapping Tool
US Forest Risks
Mapping Tool
This map tool shows harmonized projections of risks to US forest carbon from fire, drought, and insects under a changing climate.
Explore This Tool
Utah Greenhouse Gas <br />Monitoring Tool
Utah Greenhouse Gas
Monitoring Tool
This map provides real-time data on CO2 and methane emissions at strategic monitoring sites across northern and eastern Utah.
Explore This Tool
Balsam Woolly Adelgid <br />Monitoring Tool
Balsam Woolly Adelgid
Monitoring Tool
This model predicts current and future exposure to climate-facilitated balsam woolly adelgid damage to subalpine fir trees in Northern Utah.
Explore This Tool

Research Focus Map Tool

See where Wilkes Center researchers are focused on campus, across Utah, and around the world.

Hub For Earth System Sciences Amplifies Impact
Science.utah.edu October 20, 2025

Hub For Earth System Sciences Amplifies Impact October 20, 2025 Above: The […]

Build up Nepal wins $250K Wilkes Climate Launch Prize
Science.utah.edu September 29, 2025

Build up Nepal wins $250K Wilkes Climate Launch Prize September 29, 2025 […]

Build up Nepal wins $250K Wilkes Climate Launch Prize
At The U September 25, 2025

The Kathmandu-based company is transforming the construction industry in South Asia by replacing polluting coal-fired...

Looming Emergency over dust storms, health risks and a dying lake
Science.utah.edu September 16, 2025

Looming Emergency Over Dust Storms, Health Risks & a dying Great Salt […]

Forging the Future
Researcher Spotlight August 6, 2025 News, Spotlight
Carbon ‘offsets’ aren’t working. Here’s a way to fix nature-based climate solutions
At The U July 30, 2025

U-led research results in roadmap for harnessing Earth’s natural processes to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide.

William Anderegg Passes Wilkes Center Leadership Baton Forward
Researcher Spotlight June 19, 2025 News, people, Spotlight

Anderegg has established a legacy of communicating science and convening innovators at The Wilkes Center...

Utah’s energy future
At The U May 21, 2025

Leaders from a national laboratory, academic research, non-profit advocacy and private industry reveal how Utah...

Gracyn Lia Hinojosa
Researcher Spotlight May 6, 2025 Spotlight

When you try to imagine ‘anthropology’, your mental image might be a bit vague. If...

Undergraduate Funding
The Wilkes Scholars Program enables students to explore pressing climate challenges through transformative research.
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Faculty Seed Grants
Apply to receive funding support for impactful research surrounding climate change, as well as the policy impacts.
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Wilkes Dissertation Fellowship Program
This fellowship supports the dissertation writing phase for Ph.D. candidates whose dissertation projects focus around the broad themes of climate science and climate policy.
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Research and Conference Travel Award
Provides graduates and undergraduates travel funding for research OR the opportunity to present their climate science and policy research to the academic community. One-time award, $500 max.
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The Wilkes Center Podcast

Conversations about transformative research happening in the fields of climate science and policy at the University of Utah.

From new renewable energy technologies and other potential solutions, to improved forecasting tools, to enhanced understanding of ecological, health, or community impacts, it’s hard to keep up with all of the climate change research and innovation now happening across the U.  Talking Climate brings University of Utah climate change researchers and their work into focus.  Talking Climate is hosted and produced by Ross Chambless, Community Engagement Manager for the Wilkes Center.

31: Deciphering How Methane-Eating Bacteria Thrive

Episode Intro Ross Chambless: Many believe that chemistry is foundational to understanding and solving environmental challenges. And when it comes to solving a pernicious global environmental problem – such as...

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30: How Cheaper, Safer, and Cleaner Bricks Could Revolutionize Homebuilding Across Asia

Episode Intro Ross Chambless: In September 2025, the Wilkes Center awarded its annual Wilkes Climate Launch Prize to the organization Build up Nepal. Build up Nepal has developed a new...

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29: How Are Plant Ecosystems Adapting to the Shifting Climate?

When it comes to climate change, one big question is how are ecosystems adapting to shifting weather patterns, heavier precipitation events, and hotter temperatures for longer periods of time?  Are...

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28: Conversation with the Water Resources Hackathon 1st Place Team "SmartFLOW"

The Wilkes Center recently hosted its 3rd annual climate solutions hackathon at the end of January.  This year the focus was water resources. The “hackathon” as we’ve come to call...

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The $250,000 Wilkes Climate Launch Prize at the University of Utah supports innovative project ideas from organizations at all stages, both for-profits and non-profits, anywhere in the world, to help address the impacts of climate change.
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University of Utah researchers are engaged in a number of projects to develop new technologies and policy mechanisms to advance resilience, prevention, and forecasting ability with wildfires.
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By joining our mailing list you'll stay up-to-date about new Wilkes Center projects, including the Wilkes Prize, upcoming events, climate solutions initiatives and research funding opportunities.

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Founders

Clay and Marie Wilkes have worked on humanitarian projects for decades,
leading education and economic initiatives in Salt Lake City, Peru, and Nepal.

The Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy was created in 2022 as a result of their
desire to urgently address threats created by climate change. Learn more about the donation

Donate to the Wilkes Center

You can help us to catalyze innovative science and solutions to address climate change!

Donations to the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy at the University of Utah will support our efforts to provide transformative, integrative, and cutting-edge science, education, entrepreneurship, and practical solutions to tackle climate change in Utah, the United States, and the globe. Researchers affiliated with the Wilkes Center are working on the defining issues of our age.