May 2026 Newsletter

Summer public tours now available! Given the positive feedback from docents and visitors alike, a monthly public tour sign-up system will continue year-round! Tours are available to Stanford affiliates and the general public on a first-come-first-served basis. Keep an eye out for more dates to be released for 2026-2027 later this summer.

Thank you! Thank you to the Jasper Ridge community for coming together to support our student research and education activities during Stanford Giving Day! The support from the Jasper Ridge community is truly what makes it possible for us to offer world-class hands-on education activities and research projects!

In the News 

Cover picture: Can satellites accurately measure the health of our forests from space? PhD candidate Ireland Sherrill and AW Mellon grant awardee is validating high-resolution hyperspectral satellite imagery by comparing satellite-derived estimates of canopy nitrogen with ground-based measurements collected from tree canopies at Jasper Ridge using innovative field sampling techniques: an air powered potato cannon! Read and watch Ireland in action in the new research project webpage

A tiny succession battle under an oak tree reveals ecological patterns. A team led by Professor and Faculty Director Tadashi Fukami, investigated how the larvae of the filbertworm moth and the filbert weevil, two insect species that eat acorns, are in turn killed and devoured by fungi and nematodes.  Read the full blog. 

The Stanford SEEDS Chapter has thrived for 20 years since its founding by Cindy Wilber and Prof. Rodolfo Dirzo combining experiential education, mentorship, and authentic community partnerships, particularly with Redwood City's REAL program. Stanford SEEDS has served over 1,000 students and establish itself as one of the most impactful chapters in the Ecological Society of America's SEEDS network. Read the full blog

Save the Dates

• Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 3:30 PM. Community Lecture with Sec. Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency
• Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Graduation Ceremony and Summer Picnic!

Visit the Research Projects page to continue learning about the research projects at Jasper Ridge

New Research

• Dr. Nancy Kiang from NASA is studying seasonal leaf optical properties in blue oaks (Quercus douglasii) to improve a global vegetation model used for climate, ecological, and remote sensing research.
• Asst. Prof. Ari Martinez and his UC Santa Cruz team are studying territoriality and flock behavior in Chestnut-backed Chickadees (Poecile rufescens) and other species using mist-netting and Motus tracking technology.

New Publications

• Béllo Carvalho, R, Frangos, C, Sonawane, C., Hébert, T., Hadly, E. A., & Dirzo, R. (2026). Limited changes to mammal diel activity during COVID-19 lockdown in an urban preserve. Journal of Mammalogy, gyag012.

• *Yu A, Mitchell KR, Vannatta JT, De Leo G (2026) Plastic pollution reshapes snail intermediate host life history: implications for schistosomiasis transmission, Research Square. (*preprint, not yet peer-reviewed)
• *Slezak A, & Hagh VF (2026) Systematic Design of Local Rules for Directing Emergent Structure in Bottom-Up Systems. arXiv preprint.(*preprint, not yet peer-reviewed)

New Classes and Education Programs 

Docents led new classes visiting Jasper Ridge for the first time:  Anthropology class “Trees: An Anthropological Lens,” the class “Climates of Inequality” with their Eastside College Prep student partners, and the Environmental Humanities Project. Jasper Ridge truly allows space to explore our connection as humans to the natural environment.

Ecology and Natural History of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve Graduation and Picnic 

Come celebrate our latest set of new Jasper Ridge docents on Thursday, June 4 from 3:00 - 6:30 PM. Professor Rodolfo Dirzo has conceived a special program with members of the community to continue commemorating the 50+ years of BIO/ESYS 105, a one-of-a-kind class! Link to event

Welcome Dan Kubota, 2026 Stewardship Intern!

Junior in Mechanical Engineering student Dan Kubota, who has researched fire-impacted soils in the Fendorf lab, is excited to spend her summer at Jasper Ridge exploring conservation work while reconnecting with the outdoors and learning from staff and the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. Read the full blog