| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.29 |
| Liaison | Jonna Korpi |
| Submission Date | Sept. 11, 2024 |
University of Minnesota, Duluth
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Jonna
Korpi Sustainability Director UMD 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:
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
Endangered and vulnerable species
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
Areas of biodiversity importance
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
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.
Methodologies
If yes to either of the above, provide the following:
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 the scope of the assessment(s):
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.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
UMD has a robust Stormwater Pollution Protection Plan (SWPPP) that outlines best management practices for protecting water in all forms and UMD is required to report to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on an annual basis as to the compliance with our SWPPP as well as any changes that have been made to campus in the previous year affecting stormwater.
Optional Fields
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.