Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 54.23
Liaison Jeff Jeremiason
Submission Date Nov. 30, 2021

STARS v2.2

Gustavus Adolphus College
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 1.00 Scott Moeller
Naturalist and Director, the Arboretum at Gustavus Adolphus College
The Arboretum at Gustavus Adolphus College
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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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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?:
No

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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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 Arboretum at Gustavus Adolphus College encompasses several areas of biodiversity importance, including tall-grass prairies, oak savanna, wetlands, coniferous forests, and deciduous woods -- all restored natural areas representative of Minnesota biomes. Restoration of deciduous and coniferous woods began in 1973 and continues to this day with native woodland wildflower introductions in 2017 and ongoing invasive species management. Restoration of the Uhler Prairie began in 1988 with the help of many students and community members. The Coneflower Prairie, a former 70-acre soybean field adjacent to the Arboretum, was tilled and seeded with approximately 150 species of native grasses and wildflowers in 2008.


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

Arboretum staff-led assessments, as well as student projects, are ongoing and monitor species located within our tall-grass prairies, wetlands, coniferous forests, and deciduous woods. We have compiled species lists on the Arboretum website, found here: https://gustavus.edu/arboretum/plantsanimals.php.


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

Arboretum staff & student workers are responsible for conducting most assessments. These assessments focus primarily on species richness of each biome, but also elements such as spatial arrangement of native species, wildlife richness and diversity, wildlife/plant life interactions, and invasive species prevalence and spatial arrangement.


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

One of the missions of the Arboretum at Gustavus Adolphus College is Environmental Stewardship. This includes the establishment of native plant communities, and the continued cultivation of these communities toward the goal of reconstructing and restoring these areas to pre-European-settlement “native” conditions. This involves practices such as native plant species introductions, invasive species removal and the strategic use of prescribed fire.
Arboretum staff coordinate regular community and student volunteer opportunities to participate in these restoration activities. Exhibits and further resources can be found in the Interpretive Center, in addition to workshops, events, and courses through the Arboretum.


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:
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.