![Photo of the dish](sites/default/files/dish1.jpg)
The Dish is a special area to both Stanford and the surrounding communities, and it serves many purposes.
- Academic programs – The Dish itself is a radiotelescope that is still in use. Other research and teaching programs also use the dish area.
- Environmental Restoration – Stanford's Conservation Biology Program is directing a program of environmental restoration in the dish area, which includes use of native grasses and other plants.
- Habitat Conservation – Portions of the dish area will be devoted to special efforts to enhance habitat for the California tiger salamander, including the development of new breeding ponds.
- Recreation – The Dish is a popular recreational area for hiking and jogging and is open to the public from approximately sunrise to sunset throughout the year.
![Photo: Joggers on Dish trail](sites/default/files/dishrun.gif)
The Stanford Dish area is open to recreational visitors the following hours:
- January:
- 6:30 am - 4:45 pm
- February:
- 6:30 am - 5:30 pm
- March:
- 6:00 am - 6:30 pm
- April – August:
- 6:00 am - 7:30 pm
- September:
- 6:30 am - 7:00 pm
- October:
- 6:30 am - 6:00 pm
- November – December:
- 6:30 am - 5:00 pm
The schedule is adjusted monthly to closely match sunrise and sunset.
We encourage community members to send email comments on Dish matters to stanforddish@lists.stanford.edu.