Field Guide to Cal Poly Land Being Produced by Professors and Staff

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- A 250-page book documenting Cal Poly land in
photographs, maps, text and poetry is being produced by professors and
staff members from more than a dozen university departments.

The full-color hardcover book, "Cal Poly Land: A Field Guide," is being
produced as part of the university's Centennial. It's expected to be
published in the spring and distributed by El Corral Bookstore.
Pre-publication orders are being accepted now.

The field guide is being designed as an attractive addition to a
library as well as a course textbook and a reference for walkers. It
will include comprehensive nature description and original poetry.

Cal Poly is the second largest property owner among California
universities. It stewards 10,000 acres of public land for education,
research, recreation and conservation at the San Luis Obispo campus and
the Swanton Pacific Ranch north of Santa Cruz.

According to a prospectus just mailed to Cal Poly alumni and employees,
the land is one of the university's most valuable assets, and its
"fertile fields, steep mountainsides, lush canyons, and deep forests
sustain ecosystems, grow food and fiber, facilitate teaching and
learning, and yield pleasure."

Intended for the general public as well as anyone affiliated with Cal
Poly, the book is being written and designed by members of the Cal Poly
Land Centennial Project, whose mission is "to promote care for
university land and community among those who inhabit it."

Among many others, the book contains chapters on geology by Professor
David Chipping, vegetation by Professor V. L. Holland, archaeology by
Professor Terry Jones, agriculture by Professor Ron Rutherford, history
by Lecturer Alison Preston, soils and water by Professor Del Dingus,
climate by Professor Margot McDonald, and utility infrastructure by
University Architect Rex Wolf.

The book's principal photographer is Professor Sky Bergman, design is
under the supervision of Professor Mary LaPorte, and the book is being
edited by Professor Steven Marx, coordinator of the Cal Poly Land
Project.

More information about the book is available on the World Wide Web at
http://polyland.lib.calpoly.edu/overview/This
Project/fieldguide/pages/1cover. To receive a prospectus by mail or
order a copy now, please e-mail smarx@calpoly.edu.
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