Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (JRBP) is located along a low ridge in the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains at the base of the San Francisco Peninsula, 7 kilometers west of the main Stanford University campus, The Preserve encompasses remarkable geologic, topographic, and biotic diversity within its 481 hectares (1,189 acres). The Preserve covers the northern half of Jasper Ridge, a long, flat-topped ridge with a northwest-southeast axis within the San Francisquito Creek watershed. Northeast and southwest exposures flanking the ridge drain into streams, wetlands, or a eutrophic lake within the Preserve. The careful management of the Preserve's ecosystems in as natural a state as possible allows scientists to quantify changes observed in similar ecosystems affected by a range of human impacts.

The Leslie Shao-ming Sun Field Station, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve's 9,800 square foot research and education facility houses a research laboratory, two classrooms, a reference library, a herbarium, and staff offices. The new facility, completed in June of 2002, was designed to minimize its environmental footprint and serve as an educational tool to demonstrate principles of sustainability and energy efficiency.

Customized identification guides Ferns Grasses Trees Wildflowers Checklists with images, maps, and links Plants -- need images Albums of site participants More information how-to video progress and technology future proposal

Contacts

• Dr. Philippe Cohen, Administrative Director, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve -- philippe.cohen@standford.edu -- 650-851-6814
• Nancy Lowe, Outreach Coordinator, Discover Life -- nancy@discoverlife.org -- 404-272-4526