| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 79.39 |
| Liaison | Yolanda Cieters |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2021 |
Seattle University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Yolanda
Cieters Associate Director CEJS |
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:
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 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:
A Seattle Audubon volunteer put together a comprehensive bird list that interacts with birdweb.org for broader descriptions of species: see https://www.seattleu.edu/grounds/wildlife-sanctuary/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 https://www.seattleu.edu/grounds/wildlife-sanctuary/bird-haven/
See also: https://www.seattleu.edu/media/grounds-and-landscaping/archives/Birds-on-Campus.pdf
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:
(1) Cisco Morris Biodiversity Garden – provides pollinator habitat through plant selection for hummingbirds and bees
(2) Vi Hilbert Ethnobotanical Garden – provides biodiversity through plant selection reflecting native species used by Duwamish and Lummi tribes
(3) Edible Campus – Orchard, Pea Patches, Chapel Blueberry hedge – trees, shrubs and veggie growing sites provide habitat for pollinators and urban agriculture
(4) Campus Rain Gardens – 1103, LEML, FTCN, Union Green – open planted spaces providing habitat for urban wildlife including native plantings for pollinators, nesting, foraging
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance 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 the scope of the assessment(s):
Assessment included visual observation of plant diversity and presence of pollinators.
Flowering plants were added where they were in the minority. Plant selection is based on attracting pollinators and where possible fruit and nut producing for urban wildlife.
Most spaces on campus focus on biodiversity and include plants that are fruit and/or nut producing and provide habitat for pollinators.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
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.
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.