Nova Scotia Community College
OP-11: Biodiversity

A general habitat assessment of various campuses has been conducted. The assessment of the campuses took place to gather photo documentation of the natural areas, which were then used against an identification database to determine if any endangered or vulnerable plant species were present, and if any components of the area looked to be inhabited by an endangered or vulnerable animal. Meetings have been held with on-site staff members to gather information pertaining to endangered or vulnerable species seen on campus during various times of the year. Research has also been done to understand which species and vulnerabilities are common in the regions of each campus.

Beavers are frequently found in and around a brook on campus. White Nose Syndrome among the Little Brown Myotis has been confirmed to have occurred in regions where several NSCC campuses reside. Ospreys have been identified on and near NSCC properties.

At the Annapolis Valley Campus policies (informal) are in place on campus to ensure that the beaver habitat is maintained. The plant life in their area continues to grow lush and tall, and there have been few disturbances. The brook habitat for these beavers remains protected from human disturbance and construction. Bat boxes have been installed at the Annapolis Valley Campus as a safe roosting habitat for the endangered Little Brown Myotis. They will be well kept and maintained by following maintenance standards and procedures that have been researched. Most NSCC campuses have multiple bird houses on the grounds. Those that don’t do not have the land to provide them. As an example the Annapolis Valley Campus, Lawrencetown site has an osprey nest on site to provide a safe home for ospreys in the area. This platform encourages nesting away from electrical poles, where they will avoid electrocution and reduce the risk of fire from their nests. In addition to these conservation methods, other small projects have been started in an effort to support species of concern. Milkweed gardens have been planted at the Annapolis Valley Campus as a home to Monarch butterflies, which are identified as a species of special concern by Nature Conservancy Canada. These gardens serve as a safe and nutritious haven for monarchs to live during the spring and summer months. Mason bee houses have also been installed at the Annapolis Valley Campus among natural areas of lush plant life, as well as in native plant gardens. This is to help support mason bee habitats that assist with pollination, encouraging the growth and strength of native plants along with their surrounding ecosystems.