Conservation of the Natural Environment

The natural resources found on Stanford lands have contributed significantly to the university's academic success. These natural resources, including functioning ecosystems, varied biotic communities, and numerous native species, provide an essential link between laboratory activities, classroom teaching, research, and field-based studies. The 1,200-acre Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve is the site of many of these studies. (http://jrbp.stanford.edu/) Faculty, students, and researchers from around the world regularly conduct studies at Stanford to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the university's unique mix of on-site facilities and nearby natural resources.

The same wealth of natural resources that attracts academics supports a variety of native species of conservation concern, including three wildlife species listed as "Threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act: California red-legged frog, steelhead, and California tiger salamander. A fourth federally protected species, Bay checkerspot butterfly, was found on Stanford lands until the late 1990s.

A number of activities are underway to support native biotic diversity. Among these is the preparation of a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and NOAA Fisheries. The primary objective of the HCP is to ensure long-term persistence of federally protected species and the ecosystem upon which they depend by limiting negative impacts caused by future development and ongoing operation of the university. In order to meet this objective, the HCP provides that Stanford will preserve and manage the most sensitive biological areas and divert water from creeks in a manner that allows the continued ecological functioning of the watersheds.