| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 55.20 |
| Liaison | Kate Witte |
| Submission Date | Feb. 24, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Keene State College
OP-11: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Bud
Winsor Asst. Dir. Physical Plant - Grounds Physical Plant |
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?:
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:
Our Athletic Complex is along the Ashuelot River Bank and includes a Silver maple floodplain forest, an area of conservation importance in NH. Every attempt has been made to move all Athletic and Grounds Management Practices away from the riparian buffer.
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
The methodology(-ies) used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
Students in the Environmental Studies department use the land near the athletic complex as a living laboratory and have annually monitored the populations in vernal pools and other important conservation areas. Additionally, the athletic complex is used by a neighboring graduate school as a MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) bird-banding site. Students from Keene State College Biology and Environmental Studies programs are invited to watch and assist graduate students who are monitoring migratory species.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
While much wildlife has been observed at the Athletic Complex, including Snowy Owls, Deer, Rabbit, fox, etc. It is also an area that we've introduced Red Tail Hawk and Bard Owl from a local Wildlife Rehabilitation Service. Vernal pools on College property are populated with Fairy shrimp and mole salamander larvae.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Property we own adjacent to campus houses our athletic fields and a wildlife management area. Keene State College enforces strict conservation practices, in conjunction with the USDA natural resources conservation program, such as delayed mowing and erosion control in order to encourage wildlife. A plethora of wildlife co-exists on this landscape and includes everything from snowy owls and egrets, to red-winged blackbirds,rabbits and deer.
The website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity policies and programs(s) is available:
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.