| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.55 |
| Liaison | Susan Powers |
| Submission Date | Feb. 22, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Clarkson University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Alex
French Sustainability Coordinator ISE |
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?:
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
The Raquette River is an important, north flowing tributary of the St. Lawrence River. It is included on the NYS Open Space plan. We are a priority area for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's Wetland and Grassland management district for birds and other wetland animals. Our region is also part of the Algonquin to Adirondack corridor (http://www.a2acollaborative.org/).
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?:
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
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:
Intermittent surveys conducted by students and researchers. The students and researchers draft management plans. The most recent assessment was in Spring 2014. An interdisciplinary class was created with a Sustainability Fund Grant for assessment and documentation.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Vernal pools, beaver wetlands, riparian zone/forest, old growth hemlock forest (assessment by Jon Rosales, a researcher from St. Lawrence University), cedar swamp, shrub/scrub wetlands, herbaceous emergent wetlands, beech/maple/yellow birch forests, white pine, ash swamp forest. Valued plant species also find their homes in our wild areas: 'yellow lettuce' (Lacttuca hirsute) is endangered in New York State and a Pyrola and a Botrychium fern are state heritage list plants. Our species of greatest conservation need include blue spotted salamanders and blandings turtles.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
We have a vernal pool management plan that we are waiting for approval. We are developing a forestry plan. We own federal and state protected wetlands.
Our design standards state: Clarkson University is committed to employ strategies to efficiently use its land resources for development; promote a pedestrian and bicycle friendly campus; and strategically preserve its woodlands, wetlands, and waterways to maintain the campus image and provide for ecological diversity. Clarkson encourages a park concept and retention of natural species and habitat. The Design Teams shall emphasize the natural beauty of its woodlands, wetlands, and waterways while following Clarkson’s landscaping requirements, see Chapter 4, DIV32 Site Improvements.
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.