| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.86 |
| Liaison | Isabel Savransky |
| Submission Date | June 19, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Ontario Tech University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Does the institution own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/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:
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) protected land runs through and borders our North Campus. This land is a protected area and there are two tributaries that pass through the property.
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species) with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas (including most recent year assessed) and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
Attached PDF shows the campus' mapped wetlands; CLOCA completed the assessment for the University using the Ecological Land Classification
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Wetlands and tributaries on property highlighted on attached PDF; native plant species on site include trees (white pines, sugar maples, oaks, chestnuts, birch, etc.), pollinator friendly plants (eastern columbine, milkweed, coneflower, blue vervain, blackeyed susan, etc.) along with indigenous plants (cedar, sage, tabacco, sweet grass).
On and around the property and in Durham Region, several species may be found that are a Species of Concern or At Risk including: 10 species of birds (e.g. Eastern whip-poor-will, Bobolink, Barn Swallow and Eastern Meadowlark); one fish (Red-sided Dace); one snake (Eastern Ribbon); and four turtles (e.g. Blanding’s
and Snapping Turtle) (Reference: Natural Areas as Neighbours, 2017 by Durham Environmental Advisory Committee).
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
There are a variety of plans and programs in place, including but not limited to: planting hectares of wildflowers in gardens and along tributary banks (Pollinator Project), Tree planting with Forest Ontario (over 8000 seedlings planted in 2018, plans for additional seedlings in 2019), a tree nursery of 500 native trees, a 'We Grow Trees' staff challenge to plant and care for acorns over the winter to then plant back on campus or in the area; following sustainable ground maintenance practices (no harmful chemicals used and new Steam and Weed system to eliminate use of any chemical to remove weeds). The university works closely with CLOCA when working on/near sensitive areas. The gardens attract a variety of insects and animals along with the bee hotels and bat homes.
The website URL where information about the programs or 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.