| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 77.56 |
| Liaison | Ruairi O'Mahony |
| Submission Date | Feb. 15, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Massachusetts Lowell
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Erik
Shaw Grounds Manager Facilities: Operations & Services |
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:
UMass Lowell's campus is adjacent to the Merrimack River. The Merrimack River is one of the three most important large rivers on the East Coast in its conservation value to migratory river herring and one of the six most important for 12 migratory fish species. The Merrimack watershed also supports at least 75 state and federally-listed endangered species, numerous pairs of bald eagles, the largest tidal marsh habitat in New England, and a portion of the Atlantic Flyway bird migration route.
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:
In 2018 UMass Lowell worked with the Ecological Extension Service (EES) of Mass Audubon to perform a campus biodiversity assessment and to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species) with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Please see attached Report from MassAudubon
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Per MassAudubon Report working in close partnership with our Facilities Grounds Department.
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.