Slippery Rock University
EN-10: Community Partnerships

The Bartramian Audubon Sanctuary ("BAS") Wildlife Sanctuary program was initiated years ago by an SRU alumnus, and SRU now has six certified BAS sanctuaries, four of which are on campus and total over 150 acres. Two additional sanctuaries exist off-campus, the Wolf Creek Miller Tract (42 acres) and the Old Stone House Forest parcels (74 acres). The on-campus sanctuaries can be viewed at www.sru.edu/sustainability by clicking on the "Campus Sustainability Features Map". The following is the agreement SRU has signed for each sanctuary:

Agreement

A BAS Wildlife Sanctuary agreement is simple, straightforward, and inexpensive. Property should be a minimum of 20 acres, biologically diverse, and/or possess unique natural qualities. The property is assessed by BAS free of charge. If found to be of sanctuary quality, then the property is nominated, accepted, and approved by the BAS Board of Directors and publicly announced as a Certified BAS Wildlife Sanctuary. Property ownership, deed, and title are retained by the property owner but a copy of the property plat or a detailed map of the sanctuary acreage is required with an initial $99 fee. Natural processes in each BAS Wildlife Sanctuary are expected to continue unabated in perpetuity by the sanctuary owner. Further, the property owner and the Bartramian Audubon Society expects that this agreement will continue for an indefinite number of years. Sanctuary acreage can be increased or decreased at any time by the property owner. However, BAS requests that it be informed in writing of any such change and will need an up to date plat or map of the revised sanctuary area from the property owner. Finally, sanctuary status can be dissolved by property owner or by BAS with suggested thirty (30) days advanced written notice.

Program Benefits

1) A beautiful wooden sign identifying property as a 'Certified Audubon Society
Wildlife Sanctuary.'

2) An official Bartramian Audubon Society 'Certificate of Recognition.'*

3) An official BAS sketch illustrating the chapter's flying Upland Sandpiper logo
in lovely pen and ink by the artist Dr. Richard Eakin, a BAS member.

4) A one-year (June to June) Associate Membership in the BAS chapter that
entitles property owner to participate in all chapter events and receive the
chapter's official newsletter, the Upland Informer. Renewed $15.00 Associate
Membership is required each June of the agreement before the end of June.

5) All benefits are awarded publicly in person at the chapter's Annual Audubon
Awards Night (AAAN) on the 2nd Monday evening of May at Jennings Center.

*The Certificate of Recognition includes the following words: "This property provides the four basic sanctuary elements needed by wildlife to survive: food, water, cover/shelter, and breeding sites. It has been certified by the Bartramian Audubon Society as an official wildlife sanctuary in which all natural processes will continue unabated by human actions and the land preserved in perpetuity."

The Slippery Rock University Center for Community Engagement, Empowerment and Development, known as Butler SUCCEED, has established an advisory council to provide leadership for the center. Butler SUCCEED is a center created in 2020 to engage members of the SRU and Butler city and county communities to form and continue mutually beneficial partnerships that enhance the quality of life in the region and advance learning, research and civic engagement.

The University is leasing a physical location for Butler SUCCEED at 150 N. Main Street in Butler that will act as a hub for civic engagement. A 20-member advisory council, consisting of SRU representatives and leaders from the Butler community, was recruited by the Butler SUCCEED leadership team to advise the center's leaders and help set priorities. The advisory council will meet quarterly through July 2022 as Butler SUCCEED becomes operational.

"The forming of this advisory council is a key element to Butler SUCCEED living its mission," said Jeffrey Rathlef, SRU director for community-engaged learning, who is a member of the center's leadership team and advisory council. "The advisory council is a representation of major community stakeholders who will help us navigate the collaborative work within the community. Having this community voice will shape our decisions and actions as we look to achieve reciprocal community engagement." See the SUCCEED website at https://sru.givepulse.com/group/391634-Butler-SUCCEED