| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 83.87 |
| Liaison | Yolanda Cieters |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
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. Since 2018, Seattle University has earned the "Tree Campus Higher Education" designation from the Arbor Day Foundation program (see: https://www.seattleu.edu/newsroom/stories/2022/tree-campus-designation.html). In 2023, SU obtained the Green Grounds "Platinum" Certification, awarded by "Re:wild Your Campus (see:https://www.seattleu.edu/newsroom/stories/2023/grounds-for-celebration.html).
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:
• Seattle University partners with Birds Connect Seattle (formerly called “Seattle Audubon”: https://birdsconnectsea.org/). While Seattle Audubon and SU members have participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count (https://www.birdcount.org/, a program jointly sponsored by the Audubon Society and the Cornell Ornithology Lab) it has been confirmed by Bird Connects that based on the WA State list of species (https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/StateListed%26amp%3BCandidateSpecies28Mar2022.pdf) we don't have endangered or vulnerable species at SU given our urban location.
• Instead, attention has been given to species that are currently common but in decline on and around SU campus: see attached Excel sheet. The calculations help identify species that occur on campus that are not yet threatened, but that are in overall population decline since 1970.
Specifically for our campus, the focus has been on bird collisions. Birds Connect Volunteers have conducted bird collision counts on SU campus in 2021, 2022, and 2023. See data attached.
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: https://www.seattleu.edu/grounds/significant-gardens/ciscoe-morris-biodiversity/
(2) Vi Hilbert Ethnobotanical Garden – provides biodiversity through plant selection reflecting native species used by Duwamish and Lummi tribes:
https://www.seattleu.edu/grounds/significant-gardens/ethnobotanical/
(3) Six Edible Campus Gardens (intended to be "food for all") that provide habitat for pollinators and urban agriculture: https://www.seattleu.edu/grounds/edible-campus/
(4) Six Campus Rain Gardens – open planted spaces providing habitat for urban wildlife including native plantings for pollinators, nesting, foraging:
https://www.seattleu.edu/grounds/significant-gardens/rain-gardens-of-su/
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
For areas of biodiversity:
The Grounds staff consider the entire profile of our green spaces on campus: tree and shrub canopy, soil, climate (what type of microclimate?; what plants can survive without supplementing for the climate; taking into consideration what the microclimate already provides and what plants can survive in that context while supporting urban wildlife). This is an ongoing design criteria when renovating or creating new green space.
For vulnerable species:
See above: data collection and tracking with Birds Connect Seattle.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
For areas of biodiversity:
--The Grounds team studies the soil and sends samples out to a lab for assessment.
--The Grounds team will also study surrounding vegetation and send samples out to a lab for assessment as well (such as the King County Extension Office).
--Assessments also include visual observation of plant diversity and presence of pollinators.
For vulnerable species:
See above: data collection and tracking with Birds Connect Seattle.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Sustainable Grounds Management Practices preserve ecological integrity, enhance natural diversity and protect wildlife while supporting campus operations. See: https://www.seattleu.edu/grounds/
Some specific examples of practices:
--Flowering plants are added where they are in the minority.
--Plant selection is based on attracting pollinators and where possible fruit and nut producing for urban wildlife.
--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.
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.