| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.28 |
| Liaison | Chris Frantsvog |
| Submission Date | Feb. 25, 2022 |
Luther College
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Molly
McNicoll Assistant Professor in Biology and Natural Area Lands Manager Biology |
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:
Of the college's nearly 800 acres beyond central campus, nearly 700 acres are non-agricultural natural areas. Within this, several permanently designated protected areas exist: Lionberger Environmental Preserve (180 acres of high quality forests, woodlands, grasslands, and floodplains, est.2004), Emergency Watershed Protection areas (123 acres of planted prairies, riparian corridors, and planted forest floodplain, est. 2012), and Weigle-Roslien Tract (10 acres of high quality maple-basswood forest, est. 2014). These areas serve many purposes including biodiversity preservation, permanent conservation, research opportunities, and environmental education. Nearly 6 acres of grassland has been protected with CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) status, re-enrolled in 2013.
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:
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk: Rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) has been documented twice (2014, 2017) on campus planted prairies. There are several Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) records (INAI database) of T&E species within range, specifically the baltimore checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton) & frigid ambersnail (Catinella gelida). However, they have not been documented on site, despite regular biological surveys of plants and insects within the area. Also, an algific talus slope is partially within Luther property, although the frigid ambersnail (Catinella gelida) has not been observed there. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is regularly seen along the river corridor. The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) commonly breeds and lives on Luther’s natural areas. It has been warranted for protection under the ESA, but has been precluded by higher priority listing actions (2015).
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:
Native habitats on the natural areas include restored tallgrass and shortgrass prairies (>100 acres); oak savanna/woodlands, oak-hickory forests, and bottomland (floodplain) forests (>400 acres), maple-basswood forests (10-15 acres), and wetlands along the Upper Iowa River and Ten Mile Creek. Two algific talus slopes are located adjacent and protected by Luther’s natural areas management. Luther’s timber stands (mixed plantations of pine, spruce, oaks, walnuts, and hickories) and non-native grasslands (>100 acres) provide additional habitat for native species and are in various stages of restoration towards native habitats.
Luther’s natural areas are important bird areas for songbirds, grassland and woodland specialists, and raptors. Our river (Upper Iowa River) and large creek (Ten Mile Creek), riparian and upland habitats are host to migrating birds, breeding birds, as well as year round residents. Charismatic mammals that have been documented on Luther’s natural areas over the past five years include bobcats, badgers, otters, muskrat, and beavers.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
Luther biology faculty (ecologists, botanists, entomologists, ornithologists, etc.) and students have conducted assessments of Luther's natural areas since the natural areas were first purchased. These assessments were conducted along with students as part of classroom work and directed research. Assessment and monitoring continues, especially as any new restoration projects or land management are proposed and implemented.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
The assessments are included in various forms, from in-depth scientific research to general assessments and reports. Restoration and management of our habitats includes regular monitoring. A sampling of scientific research conducted on campus:
Entomology research: Butterfly, beetle, bee, moth surveys on our prairies and woodlands.
Restoration ecology research: effects of invasive plant management; prescribed fire, ruminant grazers (goats) effects on oak woodland and prairie restorations; restoration of native woodland understories, prairie establishment and management research.
Ecology research: long-term research on forest change, mosses in prairies and woodlands, mammal use of habitats using camera traps.
In addition to Luther’s natural areas, the college hosts a natural history museum that holds important specimens from campus and the broader region that are used for biodiversity education, preservation purposes, and research (such as a recent research project on fatal bird-strikes).
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Protection and management of all Luther's natural areas are guided by a Land Stewardship Plan that has three main goals: to support the educational mission of the college; to nurture a connection with place by providing opportunities to explore, enjoy, care for, and contemplate the natural world; and to fulfill our responsibility as land stewards by sustaining and restoring the ecological communities placed in our care. Luther's natural areas are an outdoor classroom and research site for students and community members. Sustainable management and restoration of Luther's natural areas is overseen and implemented by a broad group on campus, including the land stewardship program, several academic departments (including biology and environmental studies), facilities, and students/faculty/staff from across campus. A part-time natural areas land manager oversees the conservation and ecological stewardship of the natural areas with a crew of student land stewardship interns and contractors who work on specific restoration projects. Land stewardship focuses on habitat restorations and management activities to increase native biodiversity, including native plantings, invasive species management, prescribed fire in our fire-dependent habitats, seed collections, etc. The college has a land use council, made up of faculty, staff, and students from across campus that serve in an advisory role to review large project proposals on the natural areas and related activities on central campus (such as a review of herbicide use on central campus).
Luther College has planted nearly 100 acres of reconstructed prairie, with nearly ⅔ of this added over the past 10 years. In 2019, the college initiated a ten acre restoration of a remnant oak savanna on campus by removing juniper trees and using prescribed fire to keep the understory open. Other woodlands and forests on campus are being restored via invasive removal and native species seedings/plantings.
In 2020, Luther was recognized as a certified Bee Campus USA. Ongoing Luther College efforts to support pollinators: Research on Pollinator Diversity and Conservation, Landscaping with Native Plants, Prairie Plantings, Oak-Woodland Restorations, Oak-Woodland Restorations, Reducing Herbicide Use.
In 2017, a hawk banding station was built on Hawk Hill, a bluff on Luther’s property. Luther College and the Decorah Raptor Resource Project built an autumn migration banding station on campus to collect data, provide field-based research opportunities, and deliver environmental education to youth. The banding station highlights the property’s importance as a migratory corridor for raptors and other birds.
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:
Approximately 46% of Luther’s natural areas are set aside in permanent protected areas that prioritize biodiversity, but also serve as environmental protection and educational opportunities.
Approximately 46% of Luther’s natural areas are set aside in permanent protected areas that prioritize biodiversity, but also serve as environmental protection and educational opportunities.
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.