Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 73.88
Liaison Audrey McSain
Submission Date March 20, 2023

STARS v2.2

Lehigh University
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 1.00 Erin Kintzer
Director of Real Estate Services
Business Services
"---" 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?:
No

A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:

N/A


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?:
Yes

A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:

Eared False-Foxglove (Agalinis auriculata): endangered according to the USDA within Pennsylvania
Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii): federally listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act


Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:
No

A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:

N/A


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

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC), Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, brought to our attention the presence of the Eared False-Foxglove. They monitor the plant's presence by counting the number of species each year.


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

WPC monitors the Eared False-Foxgloves's presence by counting the number of species each year. The University allowed the WPC to explore additional nearby University property with similar soil features. The WPC identified another previously unknown population of the Eared False-Foxglove on University owned property.
Unrelated to the Eared False Foxglove, the University conducted a wetland delineation and Phase 1 Bog Turtle Habitat Survey on approximately 130 acres of University owned land in April, 2021. Wetlands were identified on this particular property as expected but no evidence of bog turtle life was identified.
Additionally, in 2022, the University conducted a wetland delineation and Phase 1 Bog Turtle Habitat Survey on another 20 acres of University owned land. Neither wetlands nor evidence of bog turtle life were identified.


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

In 2020 and 2021, the University put up a snow fence to protect two populations of Eared False-Foxglove. This action was recommended by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The University monitors and maintains that snow fencing.


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:

Biodiversity efforts were not impacted by COVID-19 and therefore are representative or a normal year.


Biodiversity efforts were not impacted by COVID-19 and therefore are representative or a normal year.

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.