Leave Your Legacy by Supporting Stanford’s Conservation Program

Stanford is home to over 200 animal species, including several that are endangered. University employees can now directly help steward the over 5,000 acres of open space that help these animals thrive by donating your next service milestone award to Stanford’s Conservation Program. 

Every five years, Stanford staff can choose a commemorative award through the Stanford Celebrates You program that recognizes dedicated service. Gifts range from mugs and umbrellas to t-shirts and watches. Through a collaboration between University Human Resources (UHR) and Lands, Buildings, & Real Estate (LBRE), staff can now give the value of their gift directly to campus conservation efforts. In lieu of a tangible gift, staff can choose to adopt an endangered salamander or sponsor a native tree. 

This new offering was inspired by recent retiree Amy Balsom, staff emeritus, whose service began in 1984. Over the decades, she held many different leadership roles, most recently as Senior Associate Dean in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. In 2025, after she was recognized for 40 years of service and had accumulated various gifts across the years, she thought, “I would much prefer to have a tree planted in recognition of my years of service.” Amy reached out to UHR to share her ideas and her vision helped plant the seed for the new donation options for the Stanford Celebrates You program. 

“I do believe that your values should be reflected in your actions, and I am a big believer in walking the talk.”
– Amy Balsom, staff emeritus

Stanford’s Conservation Program

Stanford manages over 5,000 acres of open space, which is home to a rich diversity of rare native animals, some endangered, and over a thousand species of plants. Stanford’s Conservation Program helps protect endangered species (like the California tiger salamander), restore native habitat, and bolster biodiversity. The university’s conservation efforts rely on community involvement, frequently providing opportunities for staff and students to participate in activities like planting native trees, managing invasive plants, and restoring habitats. 

“What an amazing opportunity for the whole Stanford community to participate in helping to make sure California tiger salamanders and many of our other local species persist over the course of our lifetimes, our children’s lifetimes, and for generations to come.  It is a privilege and joy to share the opportunity to do this work with others. Heartfelt gratitude for all who have contributed their support.”
– Dr. Esther Cole Adelsheim, Stanford Conservation program manager

By sharing the idea for a sustainable option for the Stanford Celebrates You program with UHR and LBRE, Balsom has added yet another chapter to her legacy at Stanford. This initiative is set to create lasting ripple effects as donations bolster campus conservation initiatives for years to come. 

At your next service milestone, make your gift a force of nature. To support campus conservation efforts all year-round, join an upcoming planting.