| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.75 |
| Liaison | Jauna Vitale |
| Submission Date | Feb. 14, 2025 |
New York University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Jauna
Vitale Assistant Director, Sustainability NYU Office of Sustainability |
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:
Endangered and vulnerable species
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus): Proposed Endangered
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus): Threatened
Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii): Endangered
Rufa Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa): Threatened
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus): Proposed Threatened
Areas of biodiversity importance
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
There are no areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution per the IPaC report.
Methodologies
If yes to either of the above, provide the following:
NYU uploaded its property-specific geospatial dataset to the IPaC (Information for Planning and Consultation) Portal, provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS), which generated a biodiversity report, identifying endangered, threatened and sensitive species. IPaC provided a list of protected species, habitats and sensitive resources that may be present near the campus area. NYU identified some species of concern such as the Tricolored Bat (proposed endangered), the Piping Plover (threatened) and various migratory birds and insect species such as the Monarch Butterfly.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
NYU compiled a geospatial dataset that encompasses all of NYU’s owned and managed spaces, using PLUTO (NYU’s Planning Primary Land Use Tax Lot Output) data. PLUTO provides detailed GIS-ready tax lot information, and by utilizing a list of NYU buildings with their BBL (Building Block Lot) number we were able to create a geo-spatial file specific to NYU, that accurately delineated NYU’s boundary. The geo-spatial file was uploaded to the IPaC portal and received a site-specific biodiversity report. This process identified overlap between NYU’s boundary and habitats that are either threatened, endangered or sensitive. The areas include the main campus around Washington Square Park, Brooklyn Metrotech, and any other satellite sites in New York City.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
NYU manages over 11 acres of green space across over 70 sites. In addition to planting 700+ trees on or adjacent to NYU's properties, NYU has implemented several sustainable landscaping practices that promote biodiversity and support endangered and vulnerable species. One practice is planting native plants that provide food and shelter to these species. One example is the Native Woodland Garden, which is designed to recreate the landscape of Manhattan Island in the time of its indigenous inhabitants, the Lenape. Another example is the 238 Thompson Rooftop Garden, which is a 3,700 square foot un-irrigated green roof. The roof features a wide variety of native plants not typically seen on green roofs including Wild Columbine, Goldenrod, and Moss Phlox. Additionally, NYU Grounds has eliminated the use of chemical fertilizers and organically manages green spaces along with integrated pest management strategies.
There are also nearly 60 native and migratory birds that live near or pass through NYU’s campus seasonally. In addition to the above landscaping practices, NYU also employs strategies in building construction to not only improve energy efficiency but also to protect these species. The John A. Paulson Center is a 735,000 sq. ft. building that includes 58 classrooms, academic and athletic facilities, theaters, common rooms, and faculty and student residential towers. The Paulson Center’s custom fritted windows not only reduce lighting and air conditioning loads but also help prevent bird collisions by reducing glare.
Optional Fields
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:
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.