Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.46
Liaison Francis Mitalo
Submission Date April 21, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of California, Riverside
OP-11: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 John Cook
Director of Sustainability
Sustainability
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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, and/or regions of conservation importance?:
Yes

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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:
The University of California Riverside’s Biology Department actively maintains four major reserves: the Boyd Deep Canyon Desert, Sweeney Granite Mountains Deserts, Motte Rimrock, and James San Jacinto Mountains Reserves. These field sites currently include research facilities as well as a permanent staff. Also part of UCR’S natural reserve system is an additional four minor reserves. Together, these undisturbed natural habitats form approximately 28,000 acres of land where flora, fauna, and major ecosystems reside. Not to mention preserve many endangered or diminishing species on “habitat islands”. The preservation of these sites is not only beneficial to a variety of animal and plant species, but also to scientist from around the world that use the collected outdoor laboratory research.

None
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes

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Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes

None
The methodology(-ies) used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
California Environmental Quality Act and Long Range Development Plan

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A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
2015 as part of Physical Master Plan

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A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Directly adjacent to central Campus, UCR has 176 acres of land protected from development. The intent is to provide natural habitat for wildlife while utilizing this land for research and education. In addition to this reserve, UCR now uses native and adaptive landscaping to promote natural diversity and ecosystems.

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The website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity policies and programs(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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