Land and Buildings
Through sustainable land management, Stanford University creates an environment that not only supports academic excellence but also offers a thriving, beautiful setting that enriches the experience of everyone who lives, learns, and works here. Heritage resources on Stanford land contribute significantly to the university’s academic success. Efforts to mitigate the potential impact of development on these resources include policies protecting archaeological sites and historically significant buildings as well as consultation with the indigenous Muwekma Ohlone tribe to ensure respect for their cultural values. Stanford’s land policies are more than just a commitment to sustainability—they are a pledge to future generations, ensuring that the legacy of environmental stewardship endures alongside the university’s academic achievements.
Land and Buildings
Despite significant growth and development, the university remains committed to maintaining a balance between progress and preservation. This priority is reflected in Stanford's approach to development, habitat conservation and restoration, and the thoughtful design and use of its landscaping and grounds.
Stanford is committed to empowering individuals and optimizing operations to champion resource conservation. Through innovative efficiency programs, everyone can play a part in reducing their environmental impact, helping the campus thrive sustainably.
Balancing Growth with Green
Stanford University, located in the area formerly known as the Valley of Heart’s Delight, has transformed along with its surroundings– from rural orchards to a center of knowledge-based industries. Despite this urbanization, about 60% of Stanford’s contiguous land (8,180 acres) remains undeveloped, providing a crucial balance between growth and preservation.
Stanford land includes research & academic facilities, residential housing and commercial buildings. The land use and campus planning policies emphasize sustainable development by:
Maximizing Land Use Efficiency
The Science and Engineering Quad was redeveloped to restore the historic campus axis and integrate innovative technologies. The Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Environment and Energy Building, the first building in the quad, earned LEED Platinum certification, with subsequent buildings.
Reuse and Redevelopment
Historic Main Quad buildings have been adapted for new academic programs and increased land and building capacity. The Graduate School of Business Campus, a collection of LEED Platinum certified buildings, replaced low-density office buildings with high-density academic structures integrated with exterior program spaces.
Historic Preservation
Stanford has restored and repurposed buildings like the Cantor Arts Center, the Old Union, and Peterson Labs, ensuring sustainability while preserving the campus's historic character.
Agricultural Sustainability
Agricultural uses including organic crop farming, plant nurseries, and grazing that contribute to the university’s sustainability goals.
Nurturing Nature
Stanford’s, supports a variety of ecosystems and provides habitat for three federally protected species: the California red-legged frog, the steelhead trout, and the California tiger salamander. In addition, Stanford is home to other protected species, such as the western pond turtle and the San Francisco garter snake.
Key conservation and restoration efforts include:
Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve
This 1,200-acre preserve is a critical resource for teaching and research, supporting studies by Stanford and other universities. It also serves as an outdoor classroom for K–12 students and local organizations.
Habitat Restoration
Stanford has implemented a 25-year vegetation management program focused on restoring oak woodlands. The university is collaborating with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries to develop a long-term Habitat Conservation Plan that includes the California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, steelhead trout, western pond turtle, and San Francisco garter snake.
Oak Reforestation Program
Since 1980, this program has planted over 2,000 oak seedlings in collaboration with nonprofits, volunteers, and community groups, contributing to the preservation of native ecosystems.
Learn more at the Land Use and Environmental Planning page.