ICONInformation for the Conservation of Nature

About

Patrick R. Huber, Ph.D.

Patrick R. Huber

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 was a faculty member at the Institute of the Environment, University of California, Davis, where I founded and directed the Center for Conservation Informatics.

Through ICON, I lead the Internet of Conservation, an initiative to connect conservation data and systems through open, interoperable, AI-enabled cyberinfrastructure. The Conservation Biology Institute is a partner.

Resume (PDF) Full CV (PDF)

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 twenty 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
  • Former faculty, Institute of the Environment, UC Davis
  • Former Director, Center for Conservation Informatics, UC Davis (2023 to 2026)
  • Member, Society for Conservation Biology