| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 46.80 |
| Liaison | Paul Scanlon |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Slippery Rock University
OP-11: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Paul
Scanlon Special Assistant to the President President's Office/Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
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?:
Yes
None
A brief description of any legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance on institution owned or managed land:
Slippery Rock University has received a Conservation Award from the Bartramian Audubon Society for establishing four new Audubon wildlife sanctuaries since 2005. The sanctuaries, part of the University's green landscape and outdoor learning initiative, preserve 266.2 acres, including 151.2 acres on campus. The sanctuaries include 70.8 acres at the Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research, 73 acres behind the Old Stone House (off campus), 42 acres of Miller forest on Wolf Creek (off campus), 16 acres of old growth forest off South Main Street, 10 acres at Wally Rose Ballpark, 23.7 acres at the Storm Harbor Equestrian Center, and 30.7 acres at the Branchton Road Sanctuary.
None
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes
None
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes
None
The methodology(-ies) used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
The Bartramian Audubon Society, a local chapter of the National Audubon Society that was started by three Slippery Rock students in 1983, has been active in identifying, assessing, and monitoring SRU's Audubon Wildlife sanctuaries.
SRU's biology department regularly assesses and identifies endangered or vulnerable species and environmentally sensitive areas, and has tagged specimen trees throughout campus. The biology department chair also chairs the university's Environmental Zoning Committee that reviews any proposed land use changes to SRU property.
The SRU Office of Sustainability manages the Land Use Project Request process, in which appropriate groups such as the Environmental zoning Committee are requested to review proposed temporary or permanent outdoor property use by campus organizations and make recommendations to the President regarding whether the use is appropriate or requires restrictions to protect the natural environment.
None
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
In addition to a broad variety of bird and butterfly species, the Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries at SRU are home to many wild animals including the White-Tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, Striped Skunk, both Red and Gray Squirrels, Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Gray Catbird, the American Woodcock, as well as many other species. The Audubon Sanctuaries on campus (noted above) also include sensitive wetlands areas, most prominently in the Branchton Road sanctuary area.
None
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The charter of the Environmental Zoning Committee is essentially to protect and/or positively affect identified species, habitats and environmentally-sensitive areas on campus. In addition, the EZC reviews proposed temporary and permanent land uses through the Land Use Project Request Form process managed by the Office of Sustainability.
None
The website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity policies and programs(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
http://www.bartramianaudubon.org/UpInform/UIV31I3.pdf
"Land Use Request" form may be found at:
http://www.sru.edu/financeandadministrativeaffairs/facilities/Pages/Forms.aspx
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.