| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.11 |
| Liaison | Jean-Michel Champagne |
| Submission Date | Feb. 10, 2021 |
HEC Montréal
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Jean-Michel
Champagne Sustainable Development Officer Infrastructure - Sustainability Office |
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?:
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
HEC Montréal CSC and Decelles building are located in the Mont-Royal Historical Borough (Arrondissement historique du Mont-Royal). Mount Royal was granted the Provincial status of Historical and Natural Patrimonial Borough of Mont-Royal in 2003. This special status protect and promote historical and natural features in this sector. Thereafter, HEC Montréal must respect strict regulation and obligation in the maintenance and development of its site.
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:
Known endengered or vulnerable species on campus are :
Butternut (Juglan Cinera) - decimated by a fungus, listed as endangered (IUCN)
Ash (Fraxinus americana) - Attacked by the emerald ash borer, vulnerable, subject to annual monitoring and treatment to prevent illness ofr our biggest specimen
Blooroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) - Not endangered, but considered vulnerable in Québec
A new study is planned in spring 2021 to survey the presence of any other endangered species that might not have been identified previously.
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:
One hickory tree (Carya Cordiformis) is considered as a species of valuable interest, and the Decelles building is classified as a structure of special historical interest.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
The campus footprint in the natural environment of the Mont-Royal is limited to a thin band of forest between the CSC building the Bois des Pères, that belongs to the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf. This natural area was created more than a hundred years ago to mimic the natural features of the Mont-Royal and improve its aesthetic and natural benefit. Being isolated in a dense neighbourhood and a far distance from the Mont-Royal natural park, the portion of the park on the HEC land as a limited number of species of interest, and they are monitored and tracked by the City of Montréal.
Moreover, HEC Montréal landscape is part of a wider area, comprised of the Université de Montréal campus. Data and reports generated by UdeM are often use as a knowledge base by HEC Montréal (see attached optional documents).
Moreover, HEC Montréal is keeping records of all its trees, by species and by type, on a map.
Part of the site is occupied by Hectare Urbain gardens, a project to promote permaculture and heirloom species.
Finally, a study by a biology consulting group is scheduled for spring 2021 to assess the health of HEC's forest ecosystem (postponed from 2020 due to COVID-19 restriction). This study will help HEC plan future projects to protect and enhance its ecosystems.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
Actual knowledge is based on engineering report and field observation (plant database). A new, comprehensive ecosystem assessment is planned in early 2021 to identify any migratory or resident birds that are using our site for nesting/feeding/protection.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
The HEC Montréal landscaping program require that a specialized forest engineer design and plan the site maintenance, tree pruning, removal and replacement, to respect the natural features and special legal requirements for the Mont-Royal designated area.
Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :
Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.