| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.88 |
| Liaison | Audrey McSain |
| Submission Date | March 20, 2023 |
Lehigh University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 1.00 |
Erin
Kintzer Director of Real Estate Services Business Services |
"---"
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?:
No
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
N/A
Endangered and vulnerable species
Yes
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
Eared False-Foxglove (Agalinis auriculata): endangered according to the USDA within Pennsylvania
Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii): federally listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act
Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii): federally listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act
Areas of biodiversity importance
No
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
N/A
Methodologies
If yes to either of the above, provide the following:
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC), Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, brought to our attention the presence of the Eared False-Foxglove. They monitor the plant's presence by counting the number of species each year.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
WPC monitors the Eared False-Foxgloves's presence by counting the number of species each year. The University allowed the WPC to explore additional nearby University property with similar soil features. The WPC identified another previously unknown population of the Eared False-Foxglove on University owned property.
Unrelated to the Eared False Foxglove, the University conducted a wetland delineation and Phase 1 Bog Turtle Habitat Survey on approximately 130 acres of University owned land in April, 2021. Wetlands were identified on this particular property as expected but no evidence of bog turtle life was identified.
Additionally, in 2022, the University conducted a wetland delineation and Phase 1 Bog Turtle Habitat Survey on another 20 acres of University owned land. Neither wetlands nor evidence of bog turtle life were identified.
Unrelated to the Eared False Foxglove, the University conducted a wetland delineation and Phase 1 Bog Turtle Habitat Survey on approximately 130 acres of University owned land in April, 2021. Wetlands were identified on this particular property as expected but no evidence of bog turtle life was identified.
Additionally, in 2022, the University conducted a wetland delineation and Phase 1 Bog Turtle Habitat Survey on another 20 acres of University owned land. Neither wetlands nor evidence of bog turtle life were identified.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
In 2020 and 2021, the University put up a snow fence to protect two populations of Eared False-Foxglove. This action was recommended by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The University monitors and maintains that snow fencing.
Optional Fields
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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:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Biodiversity efforts were not impacted by COVID-19 and therefore are representative or a normal year.
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.