Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 54.99
Liaison Denice Koljonen
Submission Date Feb. 6, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Boston College
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Gina Bellavia
Director Landscape Planning
Facilities Services
"---" 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, and/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:

In 2016, Boston College purchased a 22-acre property at 300 Hammond Pond Parkway that includes several acres of wetland and vernal pools. This portion of campus borders protected land owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the largest wooded conservation area in the City of Newton. This adjacent land exhibits wetlands, ponds, fields, and woodlands.


Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species) with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land?:
No

Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes

The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas (including most recent year assessed) and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:

The property was professionally surveyed and includes the extent of the vernal pools and 100' buffer zones. All wetland areas and buffer zones are protected by the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Newton Conservation Commission.


A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:

The environmentally sensitive areas at Boston College consist of wetlands, vernal pools, and woodland areas. The vernal pools are known to support two amphibians of interest, the Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica), and the Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma macultum).


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

The college abides by all regulations regarding wetlands protection and preservation to ensure these areas are protected. The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act prohibits altering land within 100 feet of wetlands and the City of Newton Conservation Commission governs protected areas locally.

https://www.mass.gov/guides/protecting-wetlands-in-massachusetts http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/planning/conserv/default.asp


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
---

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

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.