| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.46 |
| Liaison | Ciannat Howett |
| Submission Date | Oct. 9, 2024 |
Emory University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Cyrus
Bhedwar Director Office of Sustainability Initiatives |
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:
Right in the middle of Emory's campus, Lullwater Preserve offers acres of green space with trees, lawns, and a lake for community members to enjoy. The estate is home to an English Tudor mansion where the University president lives. Lullwater Preserve has been identified as preserved land on Emory’s campus which is prohibited from being developed due to its unique ecological value and essential contribution to the campus identity and quality of life. Emory University has set aside a total of 355 acres of preserved land, including Lullwater Preserve, which are priority sites for biodiversity and important for conservation because of the forested habitat connectivity purpose they serve, in addition to the protection of stream habitats and the preservation of native Piedmont forest ecosystem biodiversity.
Endangered and vulnerable species
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
Starvine-Schisandra glabra is the only identified threatened species in forests on Emory's campus.
Areas of biodiversity importance
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
All of Emory's protected land falls in Georgia’s Piedmont region and is home to a variety of habitats and vegetation. Lullwater Preserve contains areas of hardwood forest dominated by Oak and Oak Beech species, a section of mature Hardwood Forest, mixed forest, floodplain forest, wetlands, and turf. Areas that are the most environmentally sensitive are the small streams which have been impaired by stormwater runoff and the after-effects of dredging Candler Lake in the 1980s. Since then, most sensitive areas have been vegetated to prevent erosion. Emory's Pollinator Protection Plan identified an opportunity to restore campus stream banks and buffers by planting pollinator-friendly plant species, which began in 2016. Forest edges caused by past clearings are another sensitive area because this area is open to cultivation by invasive species.
Methodologies
If yes to either of the above, provide the following:
The Committee on the Environment Lullwater Task Force Subcommittee, comprised of staff, faculty, and student representatives, began working in May 2001 to: inventory the current ecological health of Lullwater Preserve, i.e., the state of vegetation, wildlife, and streams; review all available data on the numbers of people regularly visiting Lullwater Preserve to determine the type of use and where activities are concentrated within the preserve; examine current guidelines for accessing Lullwater Preserve’s resources, including the campus forest use policy, and document problems that may have occurred regarding enforcement of these guidelines; propose a plan for restoring the ecological health of Lullwater Preserve and managing sustainable human use of the preserve. Emory's biology course conducted an assessment of species of amphibians, reptiles, and birds residing in Lullwater Preserve during class research surveys, individual surveys, and the Atlanta Audubon Society's list of birds' arrival/departure dates. From these two efforts, the identification of endangered and vulnerable species and an understanding of environmentally sensitive areas laid the groundwork for continuous monitoring and assessment by Emory's grounds experts. Invasive species are removed regularly by both grounds crews and volunteers, and new endangered or vulnerable species are monitored as they are identified.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
Lullwater Preserve, which is 132 acres of natural, recreational, and residential area (Map 2 and Map 3 in the Lullwater Comprehensive Management Plan: http://www.emoryforest.emory.edu/lullwater/lcmpfinala.pdf).
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Emory University's Forest Management Plan was developed to create, restore, enhance, and maintain Emory's forested areas with an emphasis on ecological connectivity, ecosystem function, and native biodiversity. In support of Emory’s Sustainability Vision, and in coordination with other forest-related University policies, the Forest Management Plan serves as a comprehensive plan that enables Emory to follow “best practices” in caring for its forest areas. http://www.campserv.emory.edu/fm/documents/exterior/forest-management-plan.pdf
To protect wildlife habitat on institution-owned land, Emory University's Campus Master Plan (2005) and Framework Plan (2021) have committed to leaving 48% of its land undeveloped. Beginning in 2003, a University policy has required that campus land suffer "no net loss of forest canopy", ensuring every time a tree is removed, trees are replanted to maintain the same forest canopy. Emory's 2015-2025 vision calls for net positive forest canopy by 2025. The University’s 2005 Campus Master Plan categorized 26% of Emory's total campus area as Restricted Land. These areas, i.e., stream buffers and floodplains, are precluded from development by law, ordinance, or covenant. 22% of Emory's total campus area has been identified as Preserved Land. These areas, including the forests of Lullwater Preserve, are classified as not appropriate for development due to their unique ecological value and essential contribution to the campus identity and quality of life. Emory's Pollinator Protection Plan identified an opportunity to restore campus stream banks and buffers by planting pollinator-friendly plant species, which began in 2016.
Optional Fields
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:
Data reported are current at the time of submission.
Emory Forest Management Plan - http://www.campserv.emory.edu/fm/documents/exterior/forest-management-plan.pdf
Lullwater Comprehensive Management Plan - http://www.emoryforest.emory.edu/lullwater/lcmpfinala.pdf
No Net Loss of Forest Canopy Policy - http://www.campserv.emory.edu/fm/documents/forest_canopy.pdf
Emory Pollinator Protection Commitment - https://sustainability.emory.edu/programs/pollinator-protection-program/
Land Classification Plan (2017): https://sustainability.emory.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2017-Land-Classification-Plan.pdf
Emory Framework Plan (2021): uploaded as an attachment
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.