| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.87 |
| Liaison | Nurit Katz |
| Submission Date | March 6, 2020 |
University of California, Los Angeles
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Nurit
Katz Chief Sustainability Officer Sustainability |
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:
Stunt Ranch Reserve (310 acres) sits within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA, Los Angeles, CA). The park is the largest urban national park in the world. The SMMNRA is an integral component of the Greater Los Angeles area. Situated along the Pacific Coast and running east-west along the Transverse Ranges of Southern California, the Santa Monica Mountains stretch into the San Fernando and Simi Valleys and much of West Los Angeles. The biodiversity of this region includes over 1,000 plant species that comprise 26 distinct natural communities, and over 400 species of birds have been observed. There are at least 35 reptile and amphibian species, and the park is home to greater than 50 threatened or endangered species, which is among the highest concentration of rare species in the United States.
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:
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:
Though not through scientific assessment, we have identified areas for restoration and have a formal reserve.
The Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve is one of 39 reserves operated by the University of California Natural Reserve System (UC NRS). The UC NRS network consists of 756,000 acres, encompassing nearly all California ecosystem types. The UC NRS is the largest university-administered reserve system in the world, and its sites provide unique research opportunities for teaching, research, and public service.
In addition on the main UCLA campus, we have restoration projects on campus including an area called Sage Hill where the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability is transforming 3.5 acres of campus into a site for active learning and undergraduate research in environmental science, environmental studies and beyond. Sage Hill is easily accessible and showcases native California habitat and biodiversity. The opportunities to engage students across many disciplines in an outdoor, natural setting are limitless.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
We have conducted a number of bio blitzes on campus and biodiversity data is in this iNaturalist project: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ucla-campus-biodiversity
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
Main UCLA campus. There have also been bioblitzes at Stunt Ranch.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Restoration projects at Stone Canyon Creek on campus in collaboration with the community and planning is underway for Sage Hill to support native species. The Stunt Ranch Reserve is a formal reserve. The university is also undertaking a master landscape plan for the whole campus and will incorporate ecological approaches and aim to support habitat in the planning.
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.