| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.35 |
| Liaison | Alexis Reyes |
| Submission Date | Oct. 29, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Pomona College
OP-11: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Ginny
Routhe Director Sustainability Integration Office |
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 any legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance on institution owned or managed land:
In 2014, President Obama designated the San Gabriel Mountains as a National Monument, permanently protecting the outdoor recreation destination to increase access and outdoor opportunities for area residents. Pomona College's Trails End Ranch is adjacent to this national monument.
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable 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 methodology(-ies) used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
Pomona College's 2015 Environmental Impact Report of the Campus Master Plan looked into the biological resources on campus as well as geology and soils as planning tools for preservation and environmental responsibility.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The EIR Biological Resources section identified 16 special status plants known to occur within 5 miles of campus. However, soil surveys identify the soils as urban, typically not supporting the meticulous soil requirements characteristic of sensitive plant species. None of the listed special status plants were expected to occur within the Plan Area.
Review of the CNDDB identified 16 special status wildlife occurring within 5 miles of the campus. Of the listed, none had potential for occurrence on campus except for the Western mastiff bat which was identified as having a low potential for occurrence with marginally suitable roosting habitat identified.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The College maintains ownership in two pieces of land in particular that serve as wildlife habitat, though the entire campus serves as habitat to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The Robert J. Bernard Biological Field Station (BFS) is an academic resource of the Claremont University Consortium (CUC), which includes Pomona, and spans 86 acres of CUC property. BFS contains Riversidian alluvial fan scrub, live oak forest, and grassland habitat as well as an artificial lake with surrounding riparian woodland and several created vernal pools. It is home to bobcats, coyotes, great blue herons, 28 mammal species, more than 170 bird species, 17 reptile and amphibian species, and hundreds of invertebrates and plant species. The campus itself also includes a dedicated natural preserve known as "The Wash," a 40-acre parcel of preserved native Oak habitat.
The website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity policies and programs(s) is available:
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.