Overall Rating	Gold - expired
Overall Score	70.91
Liaison	Lindsay Walker
Submission Date	Oct. 24, 2019

STARS v2.2

Humber College
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	1.00 / 2.00 This credit is weighted more heavily for institutions that own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to any of the following: Legally protected areas (e.g., IUCN Category I-VI) Internationally recognized areas (e.g., World Heritage, Ramsar, Natura 2000) Priority sites for biodiversity (e.g., Key Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites) Regions of conservation importance (e.g., Endemic Bird Areas, Biodiversity Hotspots, High Biodiversity Wilderness Areas) 2 points are available for this credit if the institution owns or manages land that includes or is adjacent to any of the above. 1 point is available for this credit for all other institutions. Close	Lindsay Walker Sustainability Manager Facilities Management

"---" 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:

The Humber Arboretum is a joint venture of the City of Toronto, Humber College, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Connected to Humber College’s North Campus, the Humber Arboretum covers approximately 250 acres and combines botanical gardens with large naturalized areas and walking trails.
In 2015, a 7.2 ha portion the Humber Arboretum was named as an Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) by the City of Toronto. The city does not permit development within ESAs and restricts activities to “those which are compatible with the preservation of the natural feature(s).” ESAs can be designated on several different criteria; in the case of the Humber Arboretum, this designation is due to the presence of plant species which are considered vulnerable, rare and/or threatened with the city or the Greater Toronto Area.

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?:

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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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 City of Toronto, which is one member of a tri-partnership which owns the Humber Arboretum, hired North-South Environmental Inc., Dougan & Associates, and Beacon Environmental Ltd., to prepare a report on Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) in Toronto. A 7.2 ha portion of the Humber Arboretum was surveyed over multiple sessions between April and July, 2008. Field assessments followed provincial protocols. The team also drew on research conducted by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) in the year 2000. These assessments were done to identify flora and fauna species which are considered locally vulnerable, either within the City of Toronto or the Greater Toronto area.

The City of Toronto report considered the Humber Arboretum ESA to be in “good condition.” One potential concern was the possibility of encroachment by invasive plant species. With that in mind, Arboretum staff continue to note any areas of concern and are creating a plan for future control efforts in collaboration with the City of Toronto.
The parking lots at Humber College North Campus were landscaped following the City of Toronto's Design Guidelines for 'Greening' Surface Parking Lots. Among the 200 trees and 1000 shrubs installed, three-quarters were selected from the Native Species Planting List which offer a familiar and varied habitat for local wildlife.

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:

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

A 7.2 ha portion of the Humber Arboretum was surveyed over multiple sessions between April and July, 2008.

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

The City of Toronto report considered the Humber Arboretum ESA to be in “good condition.” One potential concern was the possibility of encroachment by invasive plant species. With that in mind, Arboretum staff continue to note any areas of concern and are creating a plan for future control efforts in collaboration with the City of Toronto.

The parking lots at Humber College North Campus were landscaped following the City of Toronto's Design Guidelines for 'Greening' Surface Parking Lots. Among the 200 trees and 1000 shrubs installed, three-quarters were selected from the Native Species Planting List which offer a familiar and varied habitat for local wildlife.

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:

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Additional documentation to support the submission:

8f86-natural-environment-trail-strategy.pdf

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

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