| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.10 |
| Liaison | David Husemoller |
| Submission Date | March 6, 2020 |
College of Lake County
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
David
Husemoller Sustainability Manager Facilities |
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?:
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
The College of Lake County owns 249 acres of land on its 3 campuses, including 59.3 acres of natural areas. 32.7 acres of wetland and 13.8 acres of pond/lake are protected by deed restriction regulated by the Army Corps of Engineers to protect stormwater runoff against potential flooding.
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?:
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
The College of Lake County is signing on to the Monarch Migration Network, through the Illinois Green Economy Network, to promote monarch habitat preservation and enhancement along with educational awareness. The monarch butterfly population has drastically dropped in the past 40 years and while not listed as threatened or endangered, they are considered to be vulnerable to further loss. The college also seeks to promote awareness of native pollinators and protection of native habitat for their benefit as well. The college is planting milkweed and other native flora to support a diverse range of leptidoptera and other beneficial insects that are considered vulnerable to loss.
Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
Northern Illinois prairie, riperian, and wetland areas are valuable resources of biodiversity. With suburban development these remaining and restored habitats become especially important to hosting fauna. The Lake County Health Department report identifies both plant and and animal species from monthly visits to the site.
https://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/5889
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
The Lakes Unit of the Lake County Department of Health conducted a study of Willow Lake in 2003, evaluating water quality and biodiversity of aquatic, shoreline and wildlife species. https://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/5889
Environmental biology classes study the issues related to threatened and endangered species and use the prairie and wetland areas in their studies of how these restored natural areas benefit diverse range of species.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
This formal assessment provided by the Lake County Health Department describes the area within and around Willow Lake. The surrounding buffer area hosts a wide range of wetland and prairie species. Assessments carried out by the environmental biology classes are less formal and detailed.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
CLC's draft Landscape Management Plan includes an inventory of its prairie, woodland, wetland and riparian areas. This Plan makes recommendations for their ongoing maintenance, including removal of invasive species, prescribed burns, and planting of native species.
Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :
Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The newly developed Living Lab Trail provides interpretive signage to help visitors to the campus to appreciate the role of natural areas, with prairies, woodlands, wetlands, in providing valuable habitat for beneficial insects and for a diverse range of bird species.
The newly developed Living Lab Trail provides interpretive signage to help visitors to the campus to appreciate the role of natural areas, with prairies, woodlands, wetlands, in providing valuable habitat for beneficial insects and for a diverse range of bird species.
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.