Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment explained

The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment serves as Stanford University's environmental studies hub for faculty. An interdisciplinary research lab, Woods encompasses senior fellows and affiliated faculty as well as researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and students collaborating on sustainability research.[1] It supports research in seven areas: climate, ecosystem services and conservation biology, food security, freshwater, oceans, public health, and sustainable development. It provides seed funding for environmental research and supports seven research centers, programs and workshops. In September 2022, it became part of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

History

In the mid-1990s, a committee chaired by former Stanford president Donald Kennedy was appointed by provost Condoleezza Rice to evaluate environmental research. In 2000, its report proposed a coherent program to coordinate major efforts.[2] As a result, president John L. Hennessy in 2003 announced a campus-wide initiative on the environment and sustainability. The following year he created the institute to serve as the initiative's centerpiece and focal point. Envisioned as a hub for environmental researchers, the Institute brought together experts from the university's seven schools to pursue interdisciplinary research addressing complex environmental challenges while attempting to prepare the next generation of environmental leaders. The community grew to more than 150 fellows, affiliated scholars, and researchers. In 2006 the Institute was formally renamed for Stanford trustee Ward W. Woods, a 1964 graduate, and his wife, Priscilla, who made a $30 million contribution.[3]

Environmental venture projects

The institute has chosen several high-risk projects to fund every year since 2004.[4] Each environmental venture project (EVP) receives up to $100,000 per year.[5]

Woods awarded $8.5 million to more than 50 projects in 24 countries through 2013, and recipients have received an additional $39 million in follow-on grants from outside sources.[6]

EVP projects include:

Research sponsored by Woods led to innovations including solar energy pumps used to water crops in the developing world, new technology that removes pathogens from wastewater and the introduction of government policies for drinking water access in sub-Saharan Africa.

Other programs

The Woods Institute is also involved in educational and leadership programs, such as:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stanford University - Profile, Rankings and Data . US News Best Colleges . February 26, 2019.
  2. News: Stanford launches campus-wide Environmental Initiative . Press release . October 18, 2001 . February 28, 2017 .
  3. News: Stanford to Receive $30 Million for Environmental Institute . Philanthropy News Digest . February 18, 2006 . February 28, 2017 .
  4. News: Stanford's Woods Institute awards new round of Environmental Venture Projects . Scientific Computing . June 22, 2010 . Mark Shwartz . March 1, 2017 .
  5. Web site: Environmental Venture Projects Fact Seet . June 17, 2014 . Stanford . February 28, 2017 .
  6. Web site: Stanford's Environmental Ventures Projects program funds 7 new sustainability studies . EurekAlert! Science News / Stanford University . June 21, 2013 . February 26, 2019.
  7. News: Sanitation: When Toilets Fly . March 16, 2015 . Stanford Woods Institute . Rob Jordan . March 1, 2017 .
  8. Web site: Biodegradable composites for the building industry. © Stanford. University. Stanford. California 94305. 12 September 2018. Woods Institute for the Environment. 26 February 2019.
  9. News: Rosamond Naylor on Feeding the World . Amanda Fiegl . . August 2010 . March 1, 2017 .
  10. Solar-powered drip irrigation enhances food security in the Sudano–Sahel . Jennifer Burney . Lennart Woltering . Marshall Burke . Rosamond Naylor . Dov Pasternak . December 14, 2009 . 10.1073/pnas.0909678107 . . 2806882 . 20080616 . 107 . 5 . 1848–53. free .
  11. Web site: History . Leopold Leadership Program web site . March 1, 2017 .
  12. Web site: Educating Leaders . Web site . March 1, 2017 .
  13. Web site: SIGF: Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship - Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education. vpge.stanford.edu. 26 February 2019.
  14. Web site: YES! Conference | Stanford Woods Institute . 2013-07-25 . https://archive.today/20130725170324/http://woods.stanford.edu/news-events/event/yes-conference . 2013-07-25 .
  15. Web site: Stanford Bulletin - Stanford University. Office of the Registrar-Stanford. University. web.stanford.edu. 26 February 2019.