Randolph College
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Lindsey
Van Zile Sustainability Coordinator & Campus Projects 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?:
No
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
---
Endangered and vulnerable species
No
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
---
Areas of biodiversity importance
Yes
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
As a part of student coursework, students have developed a habitat plan highlighting biodiversity protection. Randolph College developed a protected botanic garden. The botanic garden was dedicated to Dorothy Bliss in May 2008. The Dorothy Crandall Bliss Botanic Garden now contains nearly 200 species of plants native to the southeastern United States. The garden includes several endangered and rare plants as well as species of special botanical interest, such as the Ben Franklin Tree which is no longer found in the wild. The outdoor showcase and laboratory of wildflowers and plants serve as an educational tool for students and visitors alike to increase their interest in nature, conservation, gardening, botanical and zoological research.
Methodologies
If yes to either of the above, provide the following:
Randolph College Biology Department has been conducting studies on the College owned land every year for the past 15 years to survey and assess species diversity. Several species found were rare and protected, so appropriate flags have been placed where these species are located in order to protect them from foot traffic.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
All three properties and back campus are included in the assessments.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Randolph College owns more undeveloped land than developed land. Most of the undeveloped land is protected by academic programs that use the forested areas for non-intrusive research only (e.g.: study of beech nut production based on nut samples, tree growth measurement, and weather data).
Also, some parts of campus have received NWF "Wildlife Habitat" designation because they provide the four basic habitat elements needed for wildlife to thrive (food, water, cover, and places to raise young).
Inside our Organic Garden, we have an amphibian pond which is a habitat that was created by students and helps our amphibians have a safe space to live.
Randolph College was recently certified as a Bee Campus and is developing a campus habitat plan to protect native pollinators and pollinator-friendly plants.
Also, some parts of campus have received NWF "Wildlife Habitat" designation because they provide the four basic habitat elements needed for wildlife to thrive (food, water, cover, and places to raise young).
Inside our Organic Garden, we have an amphibian pond which is a habitat that was created by students and helps our amphibians have a safe space to live.
Randolph College was recently certified as a Bee Campus and is developing a campus habitat plan to protect native pollinators and pollinator-friendly plants.
Optional Fields
---
Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:
---
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---
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.