| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.89 |
| Liaison | Isabel Savransky |
| Submission Date | Nov. 14, 2023 |
Ontario Tech University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Isabel
Savransky Sustainability & Asset Planner Office of Campus Infrastructure and 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:
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 to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species) with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
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).
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance 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 the scope of the assessment(s):
The local conservation authority completed the assessment of areas of biodiversity importance and is continued to be monitored through the university's Biodiversity Inventory.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
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. Furthermore, the sustainability department has started a Biodiversity Inventory to learn about the organisms that live on campus in order to make informed management decisions, identify research and management needs, and establish monitoring protocols.
Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :
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.