Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 65.09
Liaison Shane Stennes
Submission Date Jan. 11, 2023

STARS v2.2

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.00 / 2.00 Carley Rice
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Management
"---" 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, 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:
Sarita wetland is 1.6 acres located in the southeast corner of the St. Paul campus was restored through the Sustainable Campus Initiative in 2000, Sarita Wetland Restoration Project. The Minneapolis campus is bisected by the Mississippi River National River and Recreation Area. The Mississippi River Gorge, the only true gorge on the river, is adjacent to the campus. It is an essential habitat for birds, wildlife, fish, retiles and insects. Storm water runoff from the University is managed prior to entering the river.

Endangered and vulnerable species

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?:
No

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

Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:
No

A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
---

Methodologies

If yes to either of the above, provide the following:

The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
---

A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
---

A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
The Sarita Wetland Restoration Project began with the creation of the former Sustainable Campus Initiative in 2000. The purpose of the project was to implement innovative storm-water management techniques on a substantial area of campus. For more detail on the history of the Sarita Wetland, see this page.

In addition to restoration projects, the wetland is also a site for education and research. The student projects listed below, previously archived by the Sustainable Campus Initiative, represent academic work related to the Sarita Wetland and campus sustainability.

Optional Fields

Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :
---

Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:
https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/170824

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Twin Cities Campus Master Plan, https://cpm.umn.edu/campus-master-plans/twin-cities-campus-master-plan

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.