About
Patrick R. Huber, Ph.D.
I’m a conservation scientist and independent consultant working at the intersection of ecology, data science, and decision support. My work focuses on helping organizations apply rigorous science and emerging technologies to advance biodiversity conservation, land resilience, and sustainability.
ICON, Information for the Conservation of Nature, is my consulting practice in Davis, California. It works with agencies, land trusts, businesses and research teams on conservation planning, wildlife connectivity and conservation informatics.
I am also a faculty member at the Institute of the Environment, University of California, Davis, where I conduct research on conservation informatics.
Through ICON, I lead the Internet of Conservation, an initiative to connect conservation data and systems through open, interoperable, AI-enabled cyberinfrastructure. UC Davis and the Conservation Biology Institute are partners.
My consulting practice operates independently from my university role, allowing me to collaborate directly with organizations and agencies on applied conservation projects.
My approach
Science-based, systems-focused and solution-oriented.
I bring a systems perspective to conservation challenges, integrating ecological science, spatial data, and informatics tools to design practical, forward-looking solutions. My approach combines:
- Scientific rigor, grounded in evidence, analysis, and reproducibility.
- Technological innovation, using AI, data visualization, and knowledge networks to inform decisions.
- Collaborative design, building partnerships across science, policy, and practice.
Professional background
For more than fifteen years, I’ve worked across conservation planning, sustainability assessment, and cyberinfrastructure design, with research institutions, government agencies, and NGOs, on topics including:
- Landscape and biodiversity assessments
- Climate adaptation and resilience planning
- Conservation policy design
- Data and technology systems for ecological decision-making
I currently collaborate with organizations such as Point Blue Conservation Science, Audubon California, and other partners to advance conservation through informatics and AI-driven insight.
Education and affiliations
- Ph.D. in Geography, University of California, Davis
- M.A. in Geography, University of California, Davis
- B.A. in Philosophy, University of Chicago
- Faculty, Institute of the Environment, UC Davis
- Director, Center for Conservation Informatics, UC Davis
- Member, Society for Conservation Biology