Overall Rating	Silver
Overall Score	51.51
Liaison	Kirk Hemphill
Submission Date	Feb. 12, 2024

STARS v2.2

Florida Institute of Technology
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	0.00 / 2.00 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	Kirk Hemphill Director of Maintenance Facilities Operations

"---" 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?:

Yes

A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:

The jungle wetland space around campus is maintained and protected as this area falls within the St. Johns Water Management District along the Eastern Coast of Florida. This is a sensitive area that borders Crane Creek and the Crane Creek Scrub (IUCN Category V) and the Indian River Lagoon (IUCN Category IV). The University has made the commitment to protect these areas of campus such that they can retain their natural character.

Florida Tech's main campus is also located a few minutes from the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), one the more diverse estuaries in North America. The IRL is one of only 28 estuaries included in the National Estuary Program. It is home to more than 2100 plant species and 2200 animal species, with at least 35 species being threatened or endangered; and contains 27% of Florida's salt marshes. the Indian River Lagoon Research Institute was created at Florida Tech to implement sustainable solutions for the maintenance and revitalization of the IRL. Florida Tech has a research facility adjacent to the Indian River Lagoon.

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?:

A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:

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Areas of biodiversity importance

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:

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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:

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

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

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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://research.fit.edu/florida-tech-campus-wildlife/

Additional documentation to support the submission:

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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Data sourced from Facilities Operations Department