| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 81.45 |
| Liaison | Lindsey Lyons |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Dickinson College
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Neil
Leary Director Center for Sustainability Education |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Does the institution own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance?:
No
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
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Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species) with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes
If yes to either of the above, provide the following:
Students in Dickinson's Ecology and Natural History of Vertebrates courses have assessed and regularly monitor species and habitats on the Dickinson College Farm, including a system of "Hub Ponds" designed and managed to provide habitat for beneficial native insects and American Toads. Dickinson's Alliance for Aquatic Resources Management (ALLARM) monitors sensitive riparian habitat on the Yellow Breeches Creek adjacent to the Dickinson Farm.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Identified species include a variety of amphibians, reptiles, native pollinators and birds.
Identified environmentally sensitive areas include a riparian buffer along the Yellow Breeches Creek that is impacted by a local dairy farm.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The Dickinson College Farm is a certified organic farm that includes naturalized areas that provide habitat for wildlife, with an emphasis on native pollinators, and a system of "Hub Ponds" designed and managed to provide habitat for beneficial native insects and American Toads. Organic practices for pest management help protect species that are present on the farm, while soil conservation practices are employed to prevent erosion and limit runoff into the Yellow Breeches Creek, a high-quality trout stream that borders the farm. An agroforestry project, funded by a grant from the US Forest Service, has as a goal improvement of species diversity. A bluebird trail with bluebird boxes support a robust population of bluebirds on the farm.
The Dickinson College Farm and Dickinson's Alliance for Aquatic Resources Monitoring collaborate with a neighboring dairy farm to protect a sensitive riparian buffer area along the Yellow Breeches. The area had been used by the dairy farm to water their cows, resulting in substantial nutrient pollution entering the creek and damage to the banks of the creek. With the agreement of the dairy farm, the area has been fenced off to keep cows out of the creek and away from the buffer zone. The Dickinson Farm and ALLARM planted native trees and shrubs in the buffer zone to stabilize the soils and banks and to filter runoff from the dairy farm.
Optional Fields
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Riparian buffer, stream restoration project: http://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/5917/water_facts_april_2016.pdf
GIS mapping project of the riparian buffer:
http://blogs.dickinson.edu/gis/2014/05/05/effective-site-management-using-gis-using-sophisticated-gps-equipment-to-map-allarms-riparian-buffer/
Student research on 'Hub Ponds' and IPM strategies at the farm, including inventorying and assessing species and habitats: http://scholar.dickinson.edu/student_honors/5/
How we farm: http://www.dickinson.edu/info/20058/college_farm/2015/how_we_farm
Independent research at the farm: http://blogs.dickinson.edu/farm/get-involved/independentresearch/
Agroforestry at the farm: http://blogs.dickinson.edu/farm/research/agroforestry/
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.