| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.83 |
| Liaison | Andrew Porter |
| Submission Date | March 10, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Cincinnati
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Daniel
Hart Sustainability Coordinator Planning + Design + Construction |
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 the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
The University of Cincinnati owns and manages the Harris M. Benedict Botanical Preserve ( Hazelwood). The property consists of 66 acres of preserved and protected forest that was first inventoried and studied by John Gustav Segelken in 1929, and featured in his book, "The Plant Ecology of the Hazelwood Botanical Preserve". The woods are located on the Illinoisian till plain with soils consisting primarily of Rossmoyne silt loam. The plant collection includes native, rare and endangered composition that were introduced to this site thousands of years ago by the advancing and retreating glaciers. The property was recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the Department of the Interior in 1974.
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory 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 methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas (including most recent year assessed) and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
As part of the physical inventory , and asset of the University of Cincinnati, the Hazelwood Botanical Preserve is included in the annual curricula of the College of Arts and Sciences. Monitoring, research, and dissemination of information is an integral component of the University's and College of Arts and Sciences mission.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The composition includes a vast collection of native tree species. These species tend to be more indicative of the mesic nature of the geographic area, and include American beech, species of red and white oak, sugar and red maple, white and blue ash ( endangered due to emerald ash borer), slippery elm, butternut and shagbark hickory, tulip poplar, yellow buckeye, basswood, b black cherry and hackberry.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The property is protected by the National Park Service , the State of Ohio ( as an asset of the University of Cincinnati ), and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a National Natural Landmark…..it obtained this status in 1974.
The website URL where information about the programs or 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.