Welcome to the Bill Lane Center for the American West
Dedicated to advancing scholarly and public understanding of the past, present, and future of western North America, the Center supports research, teaching, and reporting about western land and life
Lane Center student researchers investigate salient challenges facing the West
In 2022, we’re pleased to welcome 16 RAs into the Lane Center family, with projects addressing climate change, water conservation, the energy transition, tribal justice, tourism, and more.
Bill Lane Center Director Bruce Cain with Senior Researcher Iris Hui
Remembering Iris Hui
We mourn the loss of our beloved colleague, mentor and friend, Iris Hui.
From left to right, Hope Eccles, Eve Lilley, and Bill Lilley
Remembering Bill Lilley
The Lane Center remembers Bill Lilley, a charter member of our Advisory Council, whose commitment, generosity and creativity represented unparalleled contributions to the Council’s work and the Center
Image credit: Christopher Michel
Practical tips to mitigate harm from wildfire smoke
Lane Center researchers and partners offer tips for staying safe from the smoke during wildfire season.
Stanford to the Sea 2023
On Saturday, May 20, the Bill Lane Center hosted its annual 22-mile trek from Stanford to the Sea. Traditionally, the route winds from its starting point at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve through Wunderlich County Park, continues along Bear Gulch Road and the Skyline Trail before catching the Purisima trail downhill to shuttles for San Gregorio State Beach.
State of the West 2023: Navigating Borders in North America
With special attention to the U.S.-Mexico border crisis, Stanford's State of the West Symposium assessed the economic and fiscal health of the American West. A joint program with the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, the event featured academic researchers, business and investment practitioners, and other stakeholders concerned with the well-being of western North America.
Photo by Geoff McGhee
Rural West 2023: Human and Ecosystem Health in the Rural West
This year's Rural West Conference explored adaptation strategies for maintaining healthy ecosystems and populations in a changing world. Read our newly published summary of the four fascinating panels.
Photo by Phanatic via Flickr
Ninth Annual Eccles Family Rural West Conference
This year, our Rural West Conference takes up the theme of “Human and Ecosystem Health in the Rural West." On April 1, we'll be in Fort Collins, Colorado, to address the challenges of rural policy, health, and environment with top academics, practitioners, and policymakers.
2022: A Year in Review
It was an abundant and meaningful year for us at the Bill Lane Center. Check out our year-end letter to learn about the return of Sophomore College and Rural West, our spring hike to the sea, some wonderful new staff members, original research and reporting, and more. Happy holidays and happy trails from all of us to all of you.
