Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (JRBP) Virtual Experiences
There will be no public tours during Family Weekend.
Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (JRBP) is located near Stanford University's campus in the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The preserve encompasses remarkable geologic, topographic, and biotic diversity within its 483 hectares (1,193 acres) and provides a natural laboratory for researchers from all over the world, educational experiences to students and docent-led visitors, and refuge to native plants and animals.
Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve
Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve is an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural and place-based training ground for effective environmental stewardship, connecting students and researchers from all over the world. This video provides an overview of the preserve and some quick facts. Click the image above to play the video.
Virtual at-Home Field Trip
Enjoy this a new virtual field trip. From your own homes, walk the preserve and enjoy its beauty. Built in collaboration with Stanford Earth
History
We start with a recognition that Stanford sits on the ancestral land of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. This land was and continues to be of great importance to the Ohlone people. Consistent with our values of community and diversity, we have a responsibility to acknowledge, honor and make visible the university’s relationship to Native peoples. To read more about the history of Jasper Ridge, please visit the History section.
History of Jasper Ridge from 1915 - 1948: Part I: Tour of the early days of Searsville Lake Park with Olympic divers Ernst and Greta Brandsten
This presentation will focus on the role swimming and the Olympics played in the lives of Ernst and Greta Brandsten and the early days of Searsville Lake Park. The couple trained divers at the Stanford University from 1915 to 1948 and operated the sports recreation Searsville Lake Park.
History of Jasper Ridge: Part II: 1955-1976 Searsville Lake Park, the Clapp and Janes/Beeson years
This presentation will look at the second and third/final concessionaires. Austin Clapp and his family took over Searsville Lake Park from the Brandstens in 1955 and continued a water sports focus that included water polo and boat drag races. Addison Janes and his partner, Don Beeson, ran the park from 1973 until 1976. Ironically, their great success in revamping the area and making it family friendly again led to the 1976 closure after increased park use led to noise, traffic and trespass complaints from Jasper Ridge personnel and the locals.