| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.92 |
| Liaison | Katie Maynard |
| Submission Date | Aug. 19, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of California, Santa Barbara
OP-11: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Matthew
O'Carroll Refuse, Recycling, & Water Conservation Manager Physical Facilities |
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:
The UCSB campus is bordered by five surface water bodies: Devereaux Slough, Goleta Slough, Campus Lagoon, the Pacific Ocean, and Storke Wetlands, all of which are protected from urbanization. Although not owned by UCSB, the portion of the Pacific Ocean that borders the UCSB campus is considered a No-Take State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), where the fishing/ taking of marine resources is prohibited. The 2010 Long Range Development Plan classified 237 acres of campus land as environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA), including UCSB's Coal Oil Point Reserve, because of the area's rarity, special role in the ecosystem, and/or because the area served as a natural buffer to more sensitive areas. The Cheadle Center for Biological and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) is tasked with the protection and restoration of many of these sensitive areas.
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:
Species listed on State, Federal, and Local lists for those considered threatened, endangered, or of concern are protected on campus and identified through various assessments and monitoring programs. Environmentally sensitive areas (ESHA) are determined by the Coastal Commission and Campus through the use of biologists when there are habitats or species of local or greater concern on the site.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The ESHA map overlay can be found in the UCSB's Long Range Development Plan, specifically in the Land Use Map Series. The map includes species and areas that are labeled ESHA. Identified species include: Beldings Savanna Sparrows, Burrowing Owls, Globose Dune Beetles, monarch aggregation areas, raptor nests, Sandy Beach Tiger Beetles, Santa Barbara honeysuckle, Southern Tarplant, and Tidewater Gobies.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
UCSB protects and creates wildlife habitat on approximately 238 acres of the campus that are within eight large Ecologically Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHAs). The University's Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) is responsible for the management of the ESHAs and aims to preserve the native plant resources and biodiversity of the region by providing educational opportunities and conducting biological and ecological research. More information regarding wildlife habitat protection at UCSB and the CCBER can be accessed at the link below.
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.