Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 61.96
Liaison Briar Schoon
Submission Date June 30, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Portland Community College
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Stephania Fregosi
Sustainability Analyst
Academic Affairs
"---" 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, and/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:
All Environmental Studies and Resources (ESR) courses utilize the the 110 acre Rock Creek Environmental Studies Center (RCESC) as part of lab classes. The RCESC is comprised of a 17 acre upland forest dominated by Douglas fir, a 30 acre upland forest of Douglas fir and mixed deciduous trees, two bottomland forests, a large emergent wetland, many scattered acres of wet meadows and grasslands as well as access to two streams, and a pond system. Though the RCESC is owned and managed by PCC-Rock Creek, the area is utilized by educational institutions throughout the Portland Metropolitan area.

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?:
Yes

Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes

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

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:
Sites have been identified by Environmental Studies classes and local habitat restoration organizations, and funded through grants from the USFWS, Tualatin Valley Foundation and others. This program is keyed to restoring wetland, riparian and forest systems. Classes in Environmental Studies and Resources (ESR) and biology are involved with planning, restoration, and monitoring.

A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The RCESC is comprised of a 17-acre upland forest dominated by Douglas fir, a 30-acre upland forest of Douglas fir and mixed deciduous trees, two bottomland forests, a large emergent wetland, many scattered acres of wet meadows and grasslands as well as access to two streams, and a pond system.

A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
There is an active environmental restoration program at the RCESC funded through grants from the USFWS, Tualatin Valley Foundation and others. This program is keyed to restoring wetland, riparian and forest systems at the RCESC. Classes in Environmental Studies and Resources (ESR) and biology are involved with planning and restoration. Additionally, PCC uses practices that protect wildlife such as the replanting of wetland with fruit producing plants to sustain wildlife. In wooded areas, logs are left in place to rot down and provide nutrition.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or 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.