The University of Texas at Dallas
OP-10: Biodiversity
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
---|---|---|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Gary
Cocke Sustainability Director Office of Sustainability |
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?:
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
The restoration area is of conservation importance because it provides habitat for native plants, and animals that would otherwise be facing habitat loss from rapid development in the Dallas Metroplex. The site is maintained by a coalition of student and community volunteers, local experts, and campus departments such as the Office of Sustainability and the Office of Student Volunteerism who all work together to protect pollinators and provide a space on campus for students to learn about and participate actively in the conservation process.
As part of promoting biodiversity and aiding the restoration of native plants, 2 apiaries are managed on campus. UT Dallas is certified as a Bee Campus USA for efforts related to our work with pollinators and native plants since 2018. In 2022 we welcomed the addition of a new apiary site on the far north side of campus, an addition to the student-led farm known as the Eco Hub, where bees assist with pollination of the surrounding crops and where there is a native pollinator wildflower field. In addition to the apiaries, the Black Land Prairie Restoration area houses the Monarch Waystation, a native pollinator habitat that includes Milkweed, which is certified through the organization Monarch Watch, a non-profit managed through the University of Kansas. These certifications allow our campus to expand our efforts in promoting biodiversity by increasing the network for resources and outreach that can be directed towards sustainability efforts on campus.
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:
White ash: Critically Endangered
American Elm: Endangered
American Bumblebee: Vulnerable
Texas Ash: Near Threatened
Common Grackle: Near Threatened
Sharp-shinned Hawk: Least Concern
Prothonotary Warbler: Least Concern
Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
UT Dallas has two apiaries so students can study the biology of honeybees. The bees have access to native plants in a secluded area of campus left fallow. In addition to the apiaries, there are also connected acres of land protected for these pollinators, most including native wildflowers that are under a no-mow zone.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :
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:
UTD Threatened Species: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=135920&subview=map&threatened
IUCN Red List: https://www.iucnredlist.org/
Monarch Waystation Field Guide: https://www.utdallas.edu/sustainability/download/Monarch_Waystation_Field_Guide.pdf
UTD Our Green Campus Map: https://utdallas.edu/sustainability/download/Our_Green_Campus.pdf
UTD on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=135920
UTD Threatened Species: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=135920&subview=map&threatened
IUCN Red List: https://www.iucnredlist.org/
Monarch Waystation Field Guide: https://www.utdallas.edu/sustainability/download/Monarch_Waystation_Field_Guide.pdf
UTD Our Green Campus Map: https://utdallas.edu/sustainability/download/Our_Green_Campus.pdf
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.