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.

About Certification

Salmon-Safe certification begins with a day-long site assessment of management issues including irrigation efficiency, stormwater management, pesticide reduction, and, if applicable for the site, streamside and wetlands area management. The assessment is conducted by a 3-member team that typically includes university hydrologist and pesticide experts, as well as a salmon biologist. The team also reviews management policies and documents related to environmental management of facilities and grounds.

Download the Salmon-Safe Corporate & University Campus Standards

For smaller campuses, the field review generally completes the assessment process. In all cases, the assessment process serves as a management tool with Salmon-Safe working with landowners to bring technical assistance or other resources. Certification is valid for five years.

Benefits of Certification

With our peer reviewed standards and rigorous on-site inspection, Salmon-Safe provides important benefits to landowners including validation of environmental performance, innovation credit under U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program, public credibility, integration of management practices, and enhanced operational efficiency and cost savings. Salmon-Safe certification also can communicate to state and federal regulators that a landowner is out front with respect to meeting regulatory mandates like the Endangered Species Act.

Please contact us for more information about seeking Salmon-Safe certification.