Overall Rating	Gold - expired
Overall Score	76.02
Liaison	Stephanie MacPhee
Submission Date	July 21, 2021

STARS v2.2

Dalhousie University
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	1.00 / 1.00 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

"---" 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, 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:

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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:

The attached document identifies a review of campus spaces and endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species).

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:

* A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution is provided in the Natural Environment Plan and the Biodiversity, Cultural Teaching, Campus Planting and Events document.

https://www.dal.ca/dept/sustainability/programs/Natural_Environment.html

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:

Original and published observations, report and literature assessment, and engagement with Dalhousie faculty, students and staff have informed the data identification process.

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

The Dalhousie Faculty of Science organizes BioBlitz on a regular basis engaging campus and community members in species observations. Data is uploaded to INaturalist. Community-wide observations from INaturalist are also utilized. The Office of Sustainability and some classes conduct tree and bird surveys, identifying species, and other features for like tree health and height and width.

Other methodologies include: campus tree values survey and interviews, campus geological studies, campus sustainability surveys, campus master plans, consultation with grounds management staff and professional consultation.

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

Natural Environment Plan and Design Guidelines created and maintained.
Diameter tree-replacement and campus-wide tree planting program.
Campus-wide plantings for biodiversity and cultural teachings.
Naturalization of specific areas
Biodiversity and cultural teaching special projects: e.g. EcoLab
Ongoing biodiversity assessments and inventories: Bio-Blitz, tree and bird surveys, ...
University Avenue redevelopment and bi-centennial commons

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.dal.ca/dept/sustainability/campus-initiatives/Natural_Environment.html

Additional documentation to support the submission:

Species_Research_Dalhousie_campuses.pdf

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

https://www.dal.ca/news/today/2019/09/17/bioblitz_2019.html