Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.00
Liaison Jonna Korpi
Submission Date Nov. 4, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Minnesota, Duluth
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Mindy Granley
Sustainability Director
UMD Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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

A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:

UMD owns 22.5 acres of land that are designated wetlands (based on inventory completed by BARR engineering; http://www.d.umn.edu/facilities-management/building-grounds/umd-wetland-inventory)

UMD is responsible for protecting its wetlands based on the 1991 Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act. The purpose of the WCA is to:
-Achieve no net loss in the quantity, quality, and biological diversity of MN's existing wetlands
-Increase the quantity, quality, and biological diversity of MN wetlands by restoring or enhancing diminished or drained wetlands
-Avoid direct and indirect impacts from activities that destroy or diminish the quantity, quality, and/or biological diversity of wetlands; and
-Replace wetland values where avoidance of activities is not feasible or prudent


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?:
No

Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes

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:

The Wetland Inventory was completed by Barr Engineering Company. Each potential wetland identified on the National Wetland Inventory, Duluth Area Wetland Inventory, or aerial photographs was visited in the field to verify the presence of wetland classifications, the susceptibility of stormwater impacts, document current hydrologic conditions and assess general quality of the wetland using vegetative diversity/integrity rating system.


A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:

Approximately 22.5 acres were identified/classified as wetland areas. The majority of wetlands on UMD properties rated low for vegetative diversity/integrity, mainly due to the abundance of invasive species and non-native plant species and the amount of human and stormwater impacts affecting the wetlands.


A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:

There has been a focused effort to increase native plantings on campus as well as address invasive species when they are found. Additionally, UMD has a well-organized and documented stormwater management program and is continually working to improve stormwater management on campus to cool, clean, and slow stormwater runoff before it leaves campus and heads to Lake Superior.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.