Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 75.64
Liaison Yolanda Cieters
Submission Date March 2, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Seattle University
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Phillip Thompson
Director
CEJS
"---" 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:
The university campus landscape is recognized as a leader in biodiversity and sustainability. In 1989, the university’s landscape was designated a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. In 2007, the National Wildlife Federation qualified the campus as a Wildlife Habitat. Significant gardens on campus include the ‘Ciscoe Morris’ Biodiversity Garden. The ‘Vi Hilbert’ Ethno Botanical Garden is in remembrance and honor of her Lushootseed culture, language and plants.

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?:
No

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:
Seattle University Grounds department conducts an annual Audubon Society Great Backyard Bird Count sending results to the national website collector.

A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
A Seattle Audubon volunteer put together a comprehensive bird list that interacts with birdweb.org for broader descriptions of species: see http://www.seattleu.edu/grounds/bird-haven/ Every year in February, SU participates in the Great Backyard Bird Count, a program jointly sponsored by the Audubon Society and the Cornell Ornithology Lab: see http://www.seattleu.edu/grounds/bird-haven/

A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Fountains provide water for birds and mammals. A diversity of plant material bears seeds, berries, and nectar to feed birds and small mammals year round. Trees and shrubs provide shelter with a seamless, dense cover from the upper tree canopy to the ground. In 1989, the university’s landscape was designated a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. In 2007, the National Wildlife Federation qualified the campus as a Wildlife Habitat.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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