| Overall Rating | Reporter - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | |
| Liaison | Greg Monaco |
| Submission Date | Nov. 10, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Stony Brook University
OP-11: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Tom
Lanzilotta Campus Energy Manager Campus Operations and Maintenance |
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 any legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance on institution owned or managed land:
In 1970, a 26 acre woodland, lined with oak and maple trees and often walked by Stony Brook Professor Ashley Schiff and his students was set aside to honor him. This Nature Preserve was dedicated in his memory by the former U.S. Interior Secretary Stewart Udall and SUNY Stony Brook President John S. Toll.
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable 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 methodology(-ies) used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
The open space areas on campus are studied by University professors and students for ecology classes. There are also tree plantings and nature walks on the preserved land, which provides the land with regular monitoring.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
A rich variety of plants and animals can be found in the nature preserve, including Red Maples (Acer rubrum), White Oak (Quercus alba) and Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). A number of these plants are vulnerable native species under threat from development in many parts of the state. Animals such as garter snakes, Virginia opossums, and box turtles are known to live there.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
There is an organization called Friends of Ashley Schiff that hosts nature walks, educational information on the internet and offers student scholarships for projects that benefit the preserved land on campus. The University considers untouched land as "Living Treasures" thus stressing the importance of keeping them natural.
The website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity policies and programs(s) is available:
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.