About Us

The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment is working toward a future in which societies meet people’s needs for water, food, health and other vital services while protecting and nurturing the earth. As the university’s hub of environment and sustainability research, the Stanford Woods Institute is the go-to place for collaboration across sectors and disciplines to find solutions to the most critical, complex environmental and sustainability challenges. Working on campus and across the globe, the Stanford Woods Institute and its research community develops environmental leaders, informs decision-makers with unbiased scientific data and analysis, and convenes experts from all of Stanford's seven schools, their colleagues at leading academic institutions, and other authorities from the government, NGO, foundation and business sectors. These key stakeholders are working with the Stanford Woods Institute to pursue breakthrough solutions that link knowledge to action and solve the environmental challenges of today and tomorrow. 

Mission 

Produce breakthrough environmental solutions that protect and nurture our planet to meet the vital needs of people today and of generations to come.

Stanford Woods Institute Faculty and Researchers

Comprising 10 percent of Stanford University’s faculty and research professionals, our 148 fellows and affiliated faculty are leaders in their academic fields. They bring expertise from across Stanford’s seven schools – business, earth sciences, education, engineering, humanities and sciences, law and medicine – to our pioneering work on environment and sustainability issues. Learn more...

Stanford Woods Institute Staff

Our staff of dedicated professionals is the driving force behind the Institute's varied programs and initiatives. They enable Stanford Woods Institute fellows and affiliated faculty to do their work as efficiently and effectively as possible. Learn more...

Advisory Council

The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment’s advisory council is composed of public- and private-sector leaders with a wide range of backgrounds. The council’s mission is to provide external perspectives and offer a critical review of the Institute's academic, research and engagement plans and programs, and to advocate for and support the Institute's strategic direction and overall objectives. Learn more...

Leopold Leadership Fellows

Leopold Leadership Fellows are mid-career academic environmental researchers from around the world who are based at North American institutions of research or higher education, and are conducting research related to the environment and sustainability. Learn more...

Strategic Plan Executive Summary 

The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment recently conducted a major planning process to guide the next stage of its growth and development. The plan shows the way toward building on our strengths as a nexus for innovation and Stanford’s hub of environment and sustainability research by maximizing our research’s effectiveness, informing decision-makers and educating environmental leaders around the world. Learn more...

History

Created in 2004 as the cornerstone of Stanford’s campus-wide Initiative on Environment and Sustainability, the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment has since grown significantly in size and scope. Learn more...

FAQs

We have developed a list of frequently asked questions about the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. Learn more...

Sustainable Stanford

Sustainable Stanford is a university-wide effort to reduce our environmental impact, preserve resources and show sustainability in action. We’re determined to lead in researching, teaching and practicing environmental sustainability. Our vision: create a healthier environment now and richer possibilities for generations to come. Learn more...