Overall Rating	Gold - expired
Overall Score	65.15
Liaison	Amber Saxton
Submission Date	Jan. 8, 2021

STARS v2.2

George Mason University
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	0.00 / 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	Donielle Nolan Programs Manager Office of Sustainability

"---" 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, 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:

George Mason University (Mason) owns multiple areas of conservation importance. On Mason's Fairfax and Prince William campuses there are both Resource Protection Areas and protected wetland areas. The property that is part of the Point of View research and retreat center borders Mason Neck, a protected state park, which contains wetlands and access to the Potomac River.

The Mason’s Fairfax and Science and Technology Campuses have wetlands and Resources Protected Areas (RPAs) within the parcels’ boundaries.

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?:

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

None is known to be present on Fairfax and Science and Technology Campuses. However, according to the Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service (VaFWIS) the following species are listed as Federal or State Endangered likely to occur within three-mile radius of the campus: Atlantic Sturgeon; Little brown Bat; Tri-colored Bat; and Brook Floater. The following are Federal or State Threatened species in the same radius distance: Northern Long-eared Bat; Wood Turtle; Peregrine Falcon; Loggerhead Strike; Henslow’s Sparrow; Appalachian Grizzled Skipper and Migrant Loggerhead Shrike. In addition to these ones, the yellow Lance is listed as Federal or State Threatened at Science and Technology campus.

Areas of biodiversity importance

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

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

As part of the Chesapeake Bay Act, Mason has identified environmentally sensitive areas such as Resource Protection Areas and wetlands for protection to improve the quality of the Potomac Watershed. There are also patches of native woodland adjacent to the stream valley thats extends behind the Student Apartments on Fairfax campus.

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:

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

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

At George Mason University's Fairfax campus, the native plant garden and the garden in the Child Development Center are National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitats. In addition, to minimize turf maintenance, the landscaping team has converted several areas to wildlife habitats that attract native insects and birds: Butterfly Gardens and Bumblebee Havens. Butterflies and moths, bumblebees, and birds (such as golden finches and hummingbirds) have been observed feeding on the flowers (or insects attracted to the blooms) at the sites. Mason has also started a reforestation/campus restoration program where areas of campus are being restored to increase campus biodiversity and help reduce managed areas.

Most exterior construction projects on campus would evaluate environmental impact at the location of the project sites.

Optional Fields

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

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

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Additional documentation to support the submission:

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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

https://vafwis.dgif.virginia.gov/fwis

Sustainability Map: https://green.gmu.edu/campus-sustainability/sustainability-map/