Overall Rating	Gold - expired
Overall Score	68.49
Liaison	Ryan Todd
Submission Date	March 1, 2021

STARS v2.2

California State University, Sacramento
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	2.00 / 2.00 This credit is weighted more heavily for institutions that own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to any of the following: Legally protected areas (e.g., IUCN Category I-VI) Internationally recognized areas (e.g., World Heritage, Ramsar, Natura 2000) Priority sites for biodiversity (e.g., Key Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites) Regions of conservation importance (e.g., Endemic Bird Areas, Biodiversity Hotspots, High Biodiversity Wilderness Areas) 2 points are available for this credit if the institution owns or manages land that includes or is adjacent to any of the above. 1 point is available for this credit for all other institutions. Close

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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 campus is adjacent to the American River, which is under the jurisdiction of the American River Flood Control District. The district's primary duties consist of levee inspection and repairs and maintenance of the bike trails. Sac State manages a portion of the American River Parkway that is critical habitat used by various threatened and endangered species.

Led by the expert direction of professor and scientist Dr. Michelle Stevens, Environmental Studies students spend two years restoring the wetland and riparian habitat known as Bushy Lake, a wetland restoration area formed in an abandoned oxbow of the Lower American River. The Bushy Lake project was a remarkable outdoor classroom that provided a living laboratory space to research field methods and restoration ecology to both graduate and undergraduate students. An unveiling of the Bushy Lake Restoration and Environmental Education Project provided the public and media a chance to take a guided tour of the repaired riparian habitat after fires devastated the area.

Additionally, the campus is currently a certified wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation.

Endangered and vulnerable species

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?:

Yes

A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:

Elderberry Beetle
Black-Crowned Night Heron
Rufous Hummingbird
Swan Goose
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Double-Crested Cormorant
Olive- Sided Flycatcher
European Carp

Areas of biodiversity importance

Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:

Yes

A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:

Because of the endangered Elderberry Beetle, which lives in Elderberry bushes along the American River Parkway, a large environmental impact assessment of the project was necessary.

Methodologies

If yes to either of the above, provide the following:

The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:

The University regularly works with the Department of Water Resources Central Valley Flood Protection Board and the American River Parkway Advisory Committee to assess any anticipated impacts to the flora and fauna of the American River and surrounding eco-system as a result of any new building construction that impacts the river. These projects require certification by the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife and support by the American River Parkway Foundation. Additionally, these assessments occur prior to new construction.

A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):

The environmental assessments preformed prior to new construction analyze any potential impacts to local flora and fauna of which include various threatened and/or endangered species. These assessments guide the project construction decisions as all efforts are made to protect those endangered and/or threatened species.

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

Sacramento State is located along the American River Watershed. Because of the University's proximity to this environmentally sensitive area campus plans and programs have been designed to protect the local environment.
The campus Master Plan outlines goals to protect the American River and resident aquatic life from pollutants originating from campus. These goals have been met through projects like Low Impact Development included in new construction and diverting 29% of campus storm water from direct discharge into the American River. Additional details can be found in the Sustainability Chapter of the campus Master Plan.

Optional Fields

Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :

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Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9oohx8jih34w0rg/Campus%20Master%20Plan.pdf?dl=0

Additional documentation to support the submission:

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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

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