| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.84 |
| Liaison | Andrew Horning |
| Submission Date | Dec. 19, 2022 |
University of Michigan
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Kenneth
Keeler Senior Sustainability Rep Office of Campus Sustainability |
Does the institution own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, 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:
Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species) with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
Eastern massasauga rattlesnake -threatened
Twinleaf - Special Concern
American burnet - Endangered
Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
The University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum manages over 700 acres of gardens, research areas, and natural preserves around the Ann Arbor area with a complex of conservatory, greenhouses, laboratory, teaching and meeting spaces at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and the James D. Reader, Jr. Center for Urban Environmental Education at Nichols Arboretum.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
The University of Michigan, Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA) conducted an inventory of rare plants and plant communities on our properties and a portion of related information is available at our website (http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/see/gis/). This work was done through a recent Institute of Museum and Library Services grant. In addition, we have several other past botanical surveys in which threatened or endangered plant species have been identified.
As for rare migratory/animal species, we have some inventory work done but recognize that it is not complete. We have done some survey work of our herptile populations but would like to do more. We currently have a grant through the Sustain Our Great Lakes program of the US Fish and Wildlife Foundation for managing habitat of the eastern massasauga. For bird species, we have informal information from the Washtenaw Audubon Society and others who have conducted butterfly surveys and/or done bird counts/walks and could well have some migratory warblers move through that are listed species. Our surveys of mammals are definitely incomplete. We have had some small mammal surveys done years ago in Dow Field, and some study of bats at Matthaei, but we have nothing that's been done completely. The natural communities and their native plants have now been surveyed, mapped and assessed for floristic quality, providing a baseline of information for prioritized stewardship and monitoring. With this information we will also create a set of natural area stewardship recommendations
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
The University of Michigan, Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum received $126,091 from the IMLS in June, 2011 to identify, survey and assess the plants and natural communities found on our four properties. The natural communities and their native plants have now been surveyed, mapped and assessed for floristic quality, providing a baseline of information for prioritized stewardship and monitoring. With this information we will also create a set of natural area stewardship recommendations:
Long-term conservation strategies and stewardship plans for natural communities and native plant populations found on our properties which are listed and/or of high conservation value
Direct future research and teaching by students and faculty at the University of Michigan and other colleges and universities in the region while minimizing negative impacts
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
The University of Michigan MBGNA has used grant monies from the Sustain Our Great Lakes program coordinated by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to fund habitat restoration work for the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. In Phase I staff improved nearly 65 acres of habitat by removing invasive shrubs, which encourages native species; purchased, planted, and caged 150 disease-resistant American elms; and sowed 75 gallons of native-plant seeds, among other efforts. Two major conservation goals for Phase II are ecological restoration work on 50 new acres of massasauga habitat and the removal of exotic invasives on 25 of those acres.
Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :
Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity 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.