| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 62.57 |
| Liaison | Kylee Singh |
| Submission Date | Feb. 16, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
California Polytechnic State University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Julie
Hawkins Campus Planner Facilities 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, 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:
Cal Poly is adjacent to Los Padres National Forest. The Los Padres National Forest serves an enormous population base including the San Francisco Bay Area, the greater Los Angeles Metropolitan area, the southern San Joaquin Valley and the many communities along the south and central coast. The Forest provides the scenic backdrop for many communities and plays a significant role in the quality of life in this area. The Forest also supplies a substantial portion of the water needs of several downstream communities.
Ecosystems in Los Padres National Forest range from semi-desert in interior areas to redwood forest on the coast. Forest vegetation is classified into two major types: chaparral (68%) and forested lands (30%). Forested land includes mixed evergreen forests, oak woodland, pinyon-juniper woodland, and conifer forest. Management of chaparral vegetation consists essentially of prescribed burning and wildfire suppression. Forested lands are managed primarily to maintain health and vigor.
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?:
Yes
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes
If yes to either of the above, provide the following:
For the Master Plan, Cal Poly has conducted biological surveys for the areas of proposed development including the horse pasture at Grand and Slack and the sheep pasture at Stenner Creek road. The university is also performing ongoing monitoring of the creeks that run through campus.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Cal Poly has a high biodiversity and variety of native biotic communities within walking distance of the Campus Instructional Core. This feature is recognized and addressed in the Campus Master Plan (2001) and is an integral part of the current Master Plan update (2015). Wildlife habitats are carefully monitored and protected, as well as vegetation which is highly valued for its aesthetic and educational benefits. Cal Poly has identified several rare or endangered species and sensitive habitats on the campus and put in place measures to protect and maintain their relatively undisturbed native biotic communities.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
As the campus instructional core has been developed and built out, campus facilities has directed project teams to prioritize planting that is native and/or adaptive. Areas on campus that were developed prior to this approach have been incrementally reduced to reduce water use, stormwater runoff, and improve on campus biodiversity.
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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