| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 43.68 |
| Liaison | Jeane Pope |
| Submission Date | June 23, 2020 |
DePauw University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Malorie
Imhoff Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
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:
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:
None identified.
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:
DePauw University is committed to the ecological restoration and stewardship of the DePauw Nature Park to serve the purposes of education, reflection, and recreation for members of the University and neighboring communities. The Nature Park was the site of an active limestone quarry from 1917 to 1977. Hanson Aggregates donated most of the land to DePauw for the park in 2003. The park opened to the public in 2005. The park now serves as important habitat for native plant and animal species and migratory birds.
More information about the park can be found here: https://www.depauw.edu/about/campus/naturepark/
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
An assessment was conducted by an independent contractor in 2004, before the nature park opened. The area is continually monitored by Nature Park staff, ecologists, the Nature Park Advisory Board, and student researchers.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
Several assessments of biological and ecological importance of the Nature Park can be found here:
https://www.depauw.edu/about/campus/naturepark/research-project-list/
These research projects have included: Forest Composition & Structure, Forest Health, Primary Succession, Small Mammal Communities, Surface Active Invertebrates, Invasive Species, and more.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
DePauw has a 520-acre Nature Park. The University is committed to the ecological restoration and stewardship of the DePauw University Nature Park to serve the purposes of education, research, reflection and recreation for the members of the University and neighboring communities. In Fall 2018, the DePauw Nature Park was awarded Gold Level Sustainable Trail Certification by the Indiana Wildlife Federation.
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 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.