Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 31.26
Liaison Jonathan Miller
Submission Date Dec. 3, 2020

STARS v2.2

Nova Southeastern University
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Jeff Heard
Grounds Supervisor
Office of Facilities Management
"---" 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:
Nova Southeastern University (NSU), through a collaboration with Broward County Parks oversees a mangrove forest near Port Everglades, Florida. The NSU Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center is located in the Dr. von D Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, a Gold Medal Winner State Park. The mangroves and coastline surrounding the property are managed with an utmost focus on conservation.

Endangered and vulnerable species

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:
Nova Southeastern University supports the management of a turtle research sanctuary in Hollywood, Florida. Species of sea turtles have been observed nesting on this section of the shore and are protected accordingly.

Loggerhead sea turtle- Endangered
Green sea turtle- Endangered
Leatherback sea turtle- Vulnerable

Areas of biodiversity importance

Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:
Yes

A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
The Florida Mangrove habitat is an important habitat on land managed by Nova Southeastern University.

Methodologies

If yes to either of the above, provide the following:

The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
There are multiple ongoing studies and research that vary in methodology throughout the university. The mangrove habitat is used by both students and faculty in research and learning opportunities.

A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
The many research opportunities within the mangrove habitat range from shoreline modeling changes to ecological surveys and biodiversity assessments. Each project has a different goal and scope dependent on the participating party conducting the project.

A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Programs and projects to protect the areas of high biodiversity are contingent on availability of funding and grants per fiscal year and are evaluated each year. However, Nova Southeastern University follows a tree management program as outlined by the Tree Care Board in accordance with our Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus- Higher Education recognition.

Optional Fields

Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :
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Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.