Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 39.53
Liaison Ellie Perry
Submission Date July 27, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

California State University, Dominguez Hills
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Ellie Perry
Sustainability Manager
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:

• Heritage Creek Preserve (2006): This small Preserve features plants native to the Dominguez Hills and Palos Verdes Peninsula and connects us to the land as it looked in the 1800’s. Plants were propagated from locally collected seeds and cuttings. The Preserve provides bio-filtration for storm water and also serves as an important ecological research lab. Because it provides much-needed native habitat (food and home sites) for birds, reptiles and insects, the land is managed with conservation in mind. The Preserve survives mainly on natural rainfall and experiences the wet and dry seasons typical for our Mediterranean climate.

• Garden of Dreams (2009): This California native garden is publicly accessible and available for research activities. Legoland Foundation provided grant funds to help establish this space. The garden features a variety of native plant species of cultural significance to the local Tongva tribe, and many species are useful in cooking, basket-weaving, dyeing, and more. In addition, the plants provide food, shelter and nest sites for birds, butterflies and native pollinators. The plants are all native to the Dominguez Hills, the Palos Verdes Peninsula or Santa Catalina Island. Most were grown here on campus.

• Butterfly Garden (2012): This garden was established in spring of 2012 through the biogeography class and the Earth Science Club. This project was grant-funded by Southern California Edison and is recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation as a waystation for threatened butterfly species.

• Dominguez Hills Wetland Preserve: This area consists of native plant species, and supports a migratory population of birds that utilize the wetland for habitat. The area turns into a vernal pool from winter run-off, which native species use.


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

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 Biology department supports ongoing student projects either for class or independent study. The Chair of Biology has been conducting regular bird surveys since Fall of 2010 using standard transect variable distance methodology) of the wetland-> Heritage Creek-> Parking Lot 7.


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

Tule (Schoenoplectus sp.) marsh that support several willows (Goodding's Black, Salix gooddingii) are located in parts of the southwest corner of the wetland. Several bird species have been found there including song sparrow, common yellowthroat, and red-winged blackbirds. There were occasional marsh wrens as well.


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

The Sustainable Landscape Plan provides recognition and maintenance guarantees for these areas as well as other gardens and environmentally sensitive areas on campus. The Sustainable Landscape Committee also actively pursues restoration and planting activities in support of this plan which identifies increased tree cover, increases in pollinator and beneficial species, etc. as major goals by 2025.


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.