| Overall Rating | Reporter - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | |
| Liaison | Michael Mumper |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Lebanon Valley College
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Michael
Mumper Director of Facilities Management Facilities Services |
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 the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
The Wood Thrush Research Preserve is an approximately 20-acre forest located on the north side of campus, just behind Facilities Services. Environmental science and Biology students often walk to this field site to conduct research and learn how to identify common plants and animals of Pennsylvania. This field site is used to teach students how to conduct vegetation sampling, how to survey animal communities, the effects of forest fragmentation, the impacts of invasive species, as well as other important concepts and techniques. Research students have used the Wood Thrush Research Preserve to conduct projects that tested the effect of soil nutrients on the invasive garlic mustard, the impact that coarse woody debris has on small mammal communities, and the extent of acorn herbivory.
In addition, the College maintains an 800+ tree Arboretum.
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory 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 methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas (including most recent year assessed) and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
LVC completes an extensive tree inventory each year to catalog and maintain over 900 individual trees on campus. We also maintain a campus arboretum to specifically address key species. The tree inventory is tasked with identifying endangered and vulnerable species and provide direction to protect and maintain these identified cultivars and native species.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The inventory helps to identify areas of risk in terms of bio-diversity. For example, in the past we have lost entire populations of tree species due to pest or disease outbreaks. Therefore, we have active plans to replace maple trees (a dominant species on campus) with a prepared list of alternate species to allow for more diversity and less susceptibility to wholesale loss in the event of new disease or pest outbreaks.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
LVC utilizes the academic departments and students to create living lab opportunities which, in turn, provide the campus with environmental benefits to sensitive areas and species. We maintain environmental lab space in the forested section of campus to monitor native plant species and provide improved deer habitat. A native planting garden will be installed this year as well as new bed plantings which attract and encourage healthy bee populations.
The website URL where information about the programs or 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.