Overall Rating Bronze
Overall Score 40.09
Liaison Allison Jenks
Submission Date March 5, 2021

STARS v2.2

New Mexico State University
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 2.00 Orlando Flores
Groundskeeper, Supervisor
FS Grounds
"---" 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:

NMSU is partnering with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to create opportunities for faculty and student research at the Organ Mountains-Desert Mountain Peaks National Monument.

https://newscenter.nmsu.edu/Articles/view/12210/nmsu-blm-partnership-combines-resource-management-and-research-opportunities


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:

Swainson's Hawks: http://bit.ly/2abKQX4 We have a pair of nesting Swainson's hawks that have made their home and raised their family for three years in a row. They are a protected species and once they have laid their eggs, as a university, we are bound to take special care of them.

Burrowing owls: https://newscenter.nmsu.edu/articles/view/8656
Burrowing owls at NMSU are a protected species. When we are doing construction, building new buildings, or other construction activities, NMSU have re-located many of their nesting areas to safe places.


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:
---

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

Many of the campus bird populations are considered a vulnerable species due to their migratory characteristics.


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

Many of the campus bird populations are considered vulnerable due to their migratory characteristics. FS has adopted USFWS Migratory Bird Program with our primary focus of conserving habitats. Currently the Swainson hawk and Burrowing owl conservation programs are ongoing and are monitored by Dr. Campbell (hawks) and Martha Desmond (owl). We also have a Waterfowl Protection Program to protect the ducks and geese at one of our ponds on campus, FS grounds monitors the overall habitats and well-being of the ducks and geese. Areas of biodiversity include organ mountain regions adopted by the Bureau of land management and NMSU for research opportunities and Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park north of Las Cruces.


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

NMSU has a Burrowing Owl program to protect this endangered species. We create nesting sites when their nests need to be relocated due to construction on campus.

http://jornada.nmsu.edu/node/237 is the website for the original Burrowing Owl study that helps us continue to take care of this little protected bird on our campus.

We also have a Waterfowl Protection Program to protect the ducks and geese at one of our ponds on campus. We oversee their protection and make sure that their food supply is adequate as well as monitoring the area around the pond to be sure that it is compatible with the waterfowl's needs.


Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :
100

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:

In Geography we have an internship course that students can take when working or volunteering for an agency or such. Geog 401. We can also offer special topics courses or directed readings which require a contract and an agreement as to what the student will do, learn, and report on.


In Geography we have an internship course that students can take when working or volunteering for an agency or such. Geog 401. We can also offer special topics courses or directed readings which require a contract and an agreement as to what the student will do, learn, and report on.

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.