Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.43
Liaison Jim Simon
Submission Date Sept. 23, 2020

STARS v2.2

Gonzaga University
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Tim Hatcher
Groundskeeper Supervisor
Plant Services
"---" 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:

According to the USFWS Wetlands Mapper, Gonzaga University has a 0.63 acre parcel along the NE edge of a human-made pond dubbed "Lake Arthur." The parcel is classified a Freshwater/Shrub Wetland (Code: PF01C), making it a IUCN Category V Land Parcel.


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:

Animals:
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Threatened, Campus is outside critical habitat
Bull Trout, Threatened, Campus is outside critical habitat

Plants:
Water Howellia, Threatened, Campus is outside critical habitat


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 Office of Sustainability conducted an assessment utilizing the USFWS Wetlands Mapper as well as IPaC.

Lake Arthur, located on Gonzaga's campus has been designated a wetlands by the Spokane County. The habitat supports migratory ducks, geese, amphibians, painted turtles, marmots, and the occasional beaver.


The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:

USFWS Wetlands Mapper and IPaC Survey Assessments.


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

The scope of the assessment accounted for wetlands, endangered species critical habitats, and any potential migratory birds that have been known to fly through the area. The physical scope of the survey was land owned and maintained by Gonzaga University.


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

With the support of the Environmental Studies department and Plant Services, a group of senior students is in the process of developing a design plan to improve the habitat surrounding Lake Arthur. It includes plans to reduce pollution runoff, increase utilization for classes and research activities, as well as improve the riparian habitat. The project is still in the planning stages, but the department hopes for authorization to begin improvements within the next few years.


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:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.