Salmon-Safe Corporate & University Campus Certification

Manage urban campuses for onsite stormwater management and environmentally innovative operations

Photo Credit: Nike Inc.

Salmon-Safe offers the nation’s first and only peer-reviewed certification program linking corporate or university land management practices with the protection of urban watersheds.

Whether the site is a corporate campus with streams or wetlands, an urban office park, or a university campus, certification requires management practices that reduce stormwater runoff and non-point source pollution, helping to protect Pacific Northwest salmon watersheds.

In 2023, Salmon-Safe introduced Urban Standards 3.1, reflecting the latest science on 6PPD-Quinone and including a new urban development planning checklist for design and development teams.

Download Urban Certification Standards PDF (2.9 MB)

Qualifying Candidates

  • + Corporate and university campuses with stream and wetland habitat or upland sites with an interest in reducing downstream impacts
  • + Urban sites and campuses in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia

Certification Process

1

Salmon-Safe certification begins with a day-long site assessment with an independent assessment team focusing on stormwater management, pesticide reduction and water quality protection, water management, enhancement of native habitat, and, if applicable for the site, stream and wetlands area management.

2

The assessment is conducted by a 3- or 4-member science team that typically includes stormwater and pesticide experts, as well as urban ecologist and stream biologists. The team also reviews and provides guidance regarding management policies and documents related to environmental management of facilities and grounds.

3

The assessment process serves as an environmental management tool with Salmon-Safe working with landowners to bring technical assistance or other resources.

4

Salmon-Safe certification is valid for five years with annual verification of progress in meeting recommendations from the science team.

Additional Resources

Certification Overview for Universities (28.2 MB)
Model Stormwater Guidelines for Campuses (489 KB)
Annual Verification Form (2 MB)

Interested in Corporate & University Certification?

Fill out this form if you’d like to be Salmon-Safe Certified for Corporate & University Campuses.

A project lead will reach out to you as soon as possible.

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Salmon-Safe BC partner for corporate & university campuses is Fraser Basin Council

Featured Projects

Nike World Headquarters Campus

Beaverton, Oregon (Tualatin River watershed)

University of Washington

Seattle, WA (Lake Washington watershed)

Oregon Convention Center

Portland, OR (Willamette River watershed)

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon (Willamette River watershed)

Lewis & Clark Campus

Portland, OR (Willamette River watershed)