| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.03 |
| Liaison | Kristyn Achilich |
| Submission Date | Oct. 4, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Saint Michael's College
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:
The college owns property that is adjacent to two protected areas: (1) Woodside Natural Area administered by the Winooski Valley Park District which has very good plant and bird diversity and a rare scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea); and (2) Gilbrook Natural Area which has several ponds and the main forest is a rare and endangered forest community in VT a pine-oak-heath sandplain forest (47 acres).
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:
Informal studies have been done and one more formal community assessment for SMC property on the Winooski River side of Rt. 15 was done on June 10, 2015 by Charlie Hohn who at the time worked for the VT Fish and Wildlife (with faculty member Peter Hope accompanying him).
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The Hohn report includes under the heading State-significant natural communities and rare species: a Silver Maple-Ostrich Fern Riverine Floodplain Forest “in good condition with towering cottonwood trees, few invasives, and a diverse set of herb species.” Hohn also reported that there is a small fragment of Pine-Oak-Heath Sandplain Forest.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
No current formal plans, though Charlie Hohn included suggested managements ideas in his 2015 community assessment report. One big component was the suggestion to monitor and try to remove invasive plants present.
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.