Overall Rating	Silver
Overall Score	46.40
Liaison	Robert Sitler
Submission Date	July 14, 2023

STARS v2.2

Stetson University
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	1.00 / 2.00 This credit is weighted more heavily for institutions that own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to any of the following: Legally protected areas (e.g., IUCN Category I-VI) Internationally recognized areas (e.g., World Heritage, Ramsar, Natura 2000) Priority sites for biodiversity (e.g., Key Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites) Regions of conservation importance (e.g., Endemic Bird Areas, Biodiversity Hotspots, High Biodiversity Wilderness Areas) 2 points are available for this credit if the institution owns or manages land that includes or is adjacent to any of the above. 1 point is available for this credit for all other institutions. Close	Cindy Bennington Dr Biology

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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?:

Yes

A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:

The Volusia Sandhill Teaching Landscape is a 1 acre plot of land that has been restored to represent the ecosystem that historically dominated the uplands of the southeastern United States. This ecosystem is characterized by a densely diverse understory of shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses, as well as a sparse canopy of mostly longleaf pines and turkey oak trees.

Endangered and vulnerable species

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:

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Areas of biodiversity importance

Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:

Yes

A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:

Methodologies

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

The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:

Sandhill habitat in the southeastern United States is recognized for having one of the most biodiverse understories of any natural community in North America. Restoration efforts in the Volusia Sandhill are aimed at maintaining as much diversity as possible by partnering with managers of local sandhill habitat to acquire seeds and rootstock of native and endemic plants.

A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):

Because the area is small, we record survivorship of all transplants, propagate plants through seed collection within the site, and biannually measure longleaf pine survival and growth. In addition, we monitor pollinator populations as a measure of ecosystem function.

A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:

The Volusia Sandhill is associated with the University's Gillespie Museum of Minerals and has been incorporated into educational programming of the museum. Passive educational signage and active programming for undergraduates and the general public have created opportunities for the expansion of the museum's programming to include Florida's natural history. Thus, the protection of the ecosystem is intimately integrated into the educational mission of the university, providing protection in perpetuity.

Optional Fields

Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :

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Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:

https://www.stetson.edu/other/gillespie-museum/vse/

Additional documentation to support the submission:

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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

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