Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 58.19
Liaison Emma Blandford
Submission Date March 2, 2021

STARS v2.2

Georgia Institute of Technology
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Anne Rogers
Sustainability Program & Portfolio Manager
Office of Campus Sustainability
"---" 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?:
No

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:
COMMON_NAME BOTANICAL_NAME IUCN
Ash-Green Fraxinus pennsylvanica Critically Endangered
Carolina ash Fraxinus caroliniana Endangered
Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba Endangered
Star magnolia Magnolia stellata Endangered
DAWN REDWOOD Metasequoia glyptostroboides Endangered
Serbian spruce Picea omorika Endangered
Pine-Longleaf Pinus palustris Endangered
American elm Ulmus americana Endangered
Cedar of lebanon Cedrus libani Vulnerable
Kentucky coffeetree Gymnocladus dioicus Vulnerable

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:
The Kendeda Building showcases the diversity of plant species native to Georgia and has been certified as a gold native plant habitat by the Georgia Native Plant Society. Most of the plants on the site are native to this region. The ground showcases a variety of native plants to serves the yearlong needs of our pollinators. These native species bloom in a staggered fashion from early spring to late fall. The Eco-Commons is a 7.5-acre greenspace that aims to mimic a traditional piedmont woodland that follows what were the original naturally occurring stream paths of the region before being urbanized. This project will also submit for a native plant habitat certification.

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:
Plant species, plant density, proximity to water source, soil type, standing water and maintenance methods.

A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
Georgia Tech hired an arborist in 2015 to catalog all trees on campus, including species size and condition. GT then placed information on GIS layer with campus base map. Upon review of species found and other criteria, a list of significant trees found on campus was compiled and campus arborist noted the Carolina Hemlock as a threatened species. In doing so the tree is monitored more closely for pest, disease, nutrient deficiency and a care program developed to help survivability.

A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Landscape master plan - The landscape master plan has guidelines and suggest that plants should be native. The plan also provides a list of native plants that can be used and planted on campus.

Georgia Tech has received recognition and title as a Tree Campus USA. Georgia Tech has implanted a policy for significant trees on campus.

Significant Trees on Campus - This program is to recognize and document trees on the main Georgia Tech campus with exceptional horticultural and/or historical significance. Listed trees will be specially designated members of the Georgia Tech Arboretum and eligible for a more rigorous and specialized program of care and maintenance. These designations will be documented in the tree inventory. Below are criteria to base whether a tree meets ‘Significant’ status.

1. Age; will vary by species.

2. Diversity; rare species on campus

3. Historic Significance; tree has association with an important event or person.

4. Location and setting; designates a contribution to a significant view or spatial structure of a setting.

5. Appearance Size or Habit; designates an exemplary representation of the characteristics of a genus or species

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:
http://www.space.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/images/lmp_final_draft.pdf

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.