| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.18 |
| Liaison | Ezra Small |
| Submission Date | Feb. 5, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Massachusetts Amherst
OP-11: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Ezra
Small Sustainability Manager Physical Plant |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
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
None
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 two main forests are:
1. Mt. Toby Demonstration Forest: It was acquired in 1916 and consists of 755 acres.
2. Cadwell Memorial Forest: It was acquired in 1952 and consists of 1171 acres.
These two forests are listed under Article 97 Legislation of Massachusetts, which requires that the land is for open space, conservation, and environmental education and environmental research and other related natural resource purposes consistent with Article 97. This also means that the land of these two forests cannot be used for any other purposes, unless Massachusetts legislation changes the use of the land.
None
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes
None
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:
Campus planning has done a full assessment of the campus natural systems on the campus. This information can be found online here: http://www.umass.edu/cp/cns.htm.
Wildlife assessments are conducted by students in the Natural Resources Conservation (NRC) 564 Wildlife Habitat Management course taught by professor Paige Warren. Their semester-long projects aim to develop comprehensive habitat management plans for wildlife on campus. They are provided guidance on how to make their plans compatible with other campus wide initiatives such as the Campus Master Plan and the Campus Sustainability programs. Most recent year assessed was 2014.
None
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Prexy's Ridge Forest: Prexy‘s Ridge Forest is an old growth forest on the westward steep slope southeast of the intersection of Eastman Lane and North Pleasant Street. Part of the Waugh Arboretum, the Forest is a unique educational, research, and recreational asset for the campus and should be preserved.
None
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Every time we go to build a new building, the process always includes the consideration for the preservation of wildlife habitats. Preservation of wildlife habitat is rooted deep in the culture of planning at UMass Amherst. The UMass Amherst Extension Citizen Planner Program offers resources for developing bi-laws in local governments for wildlife habitat protection (see link below).
None
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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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.