Overall Rating	Gold - expired
Overall Score	65.47
Liaison	Pamela Mischen
Submission Date	March 5, 2020

STARS v2.2

Binghamton University
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	2.00 / 2.00 This credit is weighted more heavily for institutions that own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to any of the following: Legally protected areas (e.g., IUCN Category I-VI) Internationally recognized areas (e.g., World Heritage, Ramsar, Natura 2000) Priority sites for biodiversity (e.g., Key Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites) Regions of conservation importance (e.g., Endemic Bird Areas, Biodiversity Hotspots, High Biodiversity Wilderness Areas) 2 points are available for this credit if the institution owns or manages land that includes or is adjacent to any of the above. 1 point is available for this credit for all other institutions. Close	Carl Lipo Director of Environmental Studies Environmental Studies Program

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Does the institution own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, or regions of conservation importance?:

Yes

A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:

The Binghamton University campus in Broome County, New York currently encompasses 930 acres of land, of which over 600 is presently undeveloped and in its natural state. The core of this undeveloped land is officially designated the Nature Preserve, and at present encompasses 182 acres of land which includes a 20-acre wetland.

Endangered and vulnerable species

Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species) with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution?:

Yes

A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:

https://www.binghamton.edu/nature-preserve/flora-funa/index.html

Areas of biodiversity importance

Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:

Yes

A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:

See details through links on the web site below:

https://www.binghamton.edu/nature-preserve/index.html

Methodologies

If yes to either of the above, provide the following:

The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:

Management of the Nature Preserve and natural areas follows the purpose and priorities of conservation, encouraging biodiversity, education, and research in balance with public use. The general management strategy is to continue or expand programs and projects that have already been established. Management includes an adaptive approach as some management issues require monitoring and adjusting practices accordingly. Large scale physical changes, structures, policy changes, research projects or any activity that affects or potentially damages the Nature Preserve are subject to approval by the Steward, and the Committee for the University Environment (CUE), advocates and administration as appropriate. The same is true for other natural areas, but non preserve natural areas are subject to the Natural Areas Policy signed by President Lois DeFleur which among other things states that development of natural areas should be a last resort and clearly justified.

Different issues may require passive or active management practices. Succession in areas where forest is established, immigration of native animals or plants, maintenance of the dams by beavers that influence water levels, and similar natural processes are examples of issues where we “let nature take its course.” However, monitoring is required in case action is needed.

Active management practices are often required to meet objectives, as is the case in many better known fields of natural resources management. For example, if feasible and approved, actions are taken in order to: protect fragile and rare habitats from the potentially destructive impacts of human visitation while still allowing compatible and appropriate types of public use; control invasive plants that rapidly take over natural communities; save trees from introduced pathogens; and creating native habitats that are missing and would help encourage biodiversity. Maintaining the diversity of habitat requires active practices of cutting vegetation, mowing, or digging out soil in areas such as vernal pools. Specific practices exist for each area and for each type of habitat in the natural areas.

A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):

The scope of the assessment is focused on the campus properties that fall under our “natural areas” - we annually collect sightings of species across the preserve to track changes in the species and their locations. We encourage visitors - local community members, faculty, staff and students - to report their sightings to the Steward of the Natural Areas and through iNaturalist.

A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:

Nearly 70% of Binghamton University’s 930-acre campus is in its natural state. The core of this undeveloped land is officially designated the Nature Preserve, encompassing 187 acres of land which includes a 20 acre wetland. Binghamton uses this large, valuable resource for teaching and learning, research, ecology, arts, literature and outdoor recreation.

Optional Fields

Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :

Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:

https://www.binghamton.edu/nature-preserve/management/index.html

Additional documentation to support the submission:

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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

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