Overall Rating	Gold
Overall Score	65.91
Liaison	Elizabeth MacKenzie
Submission Date	June 25, 2024

STARS v2.2

University of Iowa
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	1.00 / 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	Emma Duncan Grad Student Intern Office of Sustainability and the Environment

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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:

The University of Iowa helps manage and protect the Iowa River along with the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory, an educational and research facility for UI students and researchers and the local community.

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:

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Areas of biodiversity importance

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

Yes

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

Areas of biodiversity importance include areas adjacent to the Iowa River and Ashton Prairie.

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:

Professional assessment of relevant local areas (Iowa River) paired with expertise in the area is used to identify endangered and vulnerable species. In addition, an annual BioBlitz is held at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory each summer where the public joins researchers in collecting, observing, and recording biodiversity.

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

The findings of the BioBlitz inform a major research project and each year of data collection informs how diversity changes at Ashton Prairie over time.

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

Wildlife habitat plantings are incorporated on UI property wherever appropriate. The UI campus is primarily urban, which can limit significantly-sized wildlife habitat in some areas. However, areas adjacent to the Iowa River, including ravines and wetlands, and areas at the Oakdale campus are managed for wildlife habitat. Management includes removal of invasive species, protection and encouragement of mast trees and bushes, and re-establishment of native species where possible. The University does not spray pesticides along riverbanks.

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:

https://events.uiowa.edu/78945

Additional documentation to support the submission:

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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

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