Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.05
Liaison Yumiko Jakobcic
Submission Date Feb. 27, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Grand Valley State University
OP-11: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Yumiko Jakobcic
Campus Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability Practices
"---" 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, and/or regions of conservation importance?:
Yes

A brief description of any legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance on institution owned or managed land:

The streams on campus flow into the Grand River and are considered "waters of the state." They are protected under Part 301 of Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.


Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes

Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes

The methodology(-ies) used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:

The streams and ravines on campus are used regularly by ecology, mammalogy, natural resources, and other classes. Students routinely investigate ravine sites for sensitive species and areas as part of their lab experiences. Environmental engineers have noted the presence of legally-protected Virginia bluebells in the ravine systems.


A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:

The ravines are dominated by hardwood trees, primarily sugar maple. The wetlands and streams at the ravine bottom support a variety of wetland plants, including legally-protected Virginia bluebells.


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

The GVSU Facilities Department actively manages stormwater flows in the ravines to reduce erosion and protect sensitive areas. Facilities collaborates with the Stormwater Advisory Group, which includes faculty, staff, students, and consulting engineers, to enhance the ravine ecosystems.


The website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity policies and programs(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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