| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 60.05 |
| Liaison | Beverley Ayeni |
| Submission Date | Dec. 11, 2020 |
University of Toronto Mississauga
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Ahmed
Azhari Managing Director, Operations, Sustainability & Asset Management Facilities Management & Planning |
"---"
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?:
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 Toronto Mississauga is located within the Credit River Watershed Boundary and includes a number of ecologically sensitive and protected areas.
These natural assets are recognized at the municipal level through the Greenlands zoning designation G1 which restricts most development on those parts of the campus that have this designation. The City of Mississauga and the Credit Valley Conservation Authority share jurisdiction when it comes to redevelopment on campus.
Aside from the Greenlands or G1 zoning designation and in many cases within the boundaries of the areas of campus that fall under this designation there are additional levels of recognition on and adjacent to the University of Toronto Mississauga campus. These include Areas of Natural & Scientific Interest (ANSI) designated at the Provincial level, Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) designated by the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, University of Toronto Mississauga designated Ecological/No Build zones identified in successive Master Plans, and there are also areas of the campus that contain or provide habitat that supports designated threatened and endangered species that are both Provincially and Federally protected under law.
These natural assets are recognized at the municipal level through the Greenlands zoning designation G1 which restricts most development on those parts of the campus that have this designation. The City of Mississauga and the Credit Valley Conservation Authority share jurisdiction when it comes to redevelopment on campus.
Aside from the Greenlands or G1 zoning designation and in many cases within the boundaries of the areas of campus that fall under this designation there are additional levels of recognition on and adjacent to the University of Toronto Mississauga campus. These include Areas of Natural & Scientific Interest (ANSI) designated at the Provincial level, Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) designated by the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, University of Toronto Mississauga designated Ecological/No Build zones identified in successive Master Plans, and there are also areas of the campus that contain or provide habitat that supports designated threatened and endangered species that are both Provincially and Federally protected under law.
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:
The University of Toronto Mississauga Campus is home to a broad range of flora and fauna and great efforts are taken to preserve the unique character of it’s natural setting. As a part of a proactive development planning strategy and a commitment to ensuring all operational and development decision making is well informed the University of Toronto Mississauga has engaged the Credit Valley Conservation Authority and Private Environmental Consultants to inventory and assess the ecological significant constraints present on campus. The following list of Identified species represents only a very small portion of the available species data collected however this list represents priority protected species known to be present on campus.
Bird: Chaetura pelagica - Chimney Swift. Threatened
Bird: Hirundo rustica - Barn Swallow. Threatened
Herpetofauna: Ambystoma jeffersonainum laterale - Jefferson Salamander. Endangered.
Tree: Juglans cinerea - Butternut. Endangered.
Bird: Chaetura pelagica - Chimney Swift. Threatened
Bird: Hirundo rustica - Barn Swallow. Threatened
Herpetofauna: Ambystoma jeffersonainum laterale - Jefferson Salamander. Endangered.
Tree: Juglans cinerea - Butternut. Endangered.
Areas of biodiversity importance
Yes
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
Established and respected Ecological No build zones comprised of woodlots, tablelands wetlands and wildlife movement corridors make up a good portion of the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus.
Methodologies
If yes to either of the above, provide the following:
Endangered and vulnerable species identification on campus has been accomplished through both observational reporting, field investigation data records evaluation and focused targeted searches. As an academic institution, we also have the benefit of additional site-specific research records that have documented some of unique natural features of the campus which include vulnerable species.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
There have been multiple environmental assessments on the campus either in support of development planning initiatives, stewardship programs or as a result of academic curiosity and research. The collective knowledge of the site is significant.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
The University of Toronto Mississauga is committed to site sensitive low impact design and development for all new construction and also the responsible stewardship, protection and conservation of all it’s natural and ecological assets.
Some of the strategies the University of Toronto Mississauga has implemented in order to protect, restore or enhance natural areas and habitat that supports vulnerable or identified species at risk are below:
Established and respected Ecological No build zones
Created and enhanced species movement corridors
Invasive species removal where possible
Minimize the disturbance to existing woodlots allowing fallen trees to remain if possible
Use of native species in all landscape plantings
General Pesticide ban for landscaping maintenance
There are also on going monitoring programs for specific identified species as prescribed under various legislation.
There University of Toronto Mississauga is currently undertaking a new Master Plan that will strengthen and provide a framework for more sustainable path forward. The new master plan is also expected to renew the commitments to responsible, sustainable and smart growth.
Some of the strategies the University of Toronto Mississauga has implemented in order to protect, restore or enhance natural areas and habitat that supports vulnerable or identified species at risk are below:
Established and respected Ecological No build zones
Created and enhanced species movement corridors
Invasive species removal where possible
Minimize the disturbance to existing woodlots allowing fallen trees to remain if possible
Use of native species in all landscape plantings
General Pesticide ban for landscaping maintenance
There are also on going monitoring programs for specific identified species as prescribed under various legislation.
There University of Toronto Mississauga is currently undertaking a new Master Plan that will strengthen and provide a framework for more sustainable path forward. The new master plan is also expected to renew the commitments to responsible, sustainable and smart growth.
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:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.