Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 35.08
Liaison Susan Caplow
Submission Date July 24, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Montevallo
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Susan Caplow
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
Behavioral and Social Sciences
"---" 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:

"The University of Montevallo's Ebenezer Swamp Ecological Preserve on Spring Creek in Shelby County is 60 acres of wooded wetlands used for teaching and research. Located approximately six miles from the University, Spring Creek and Ebenezer Swamp form a portion of the headwaters for the ecologically diverse and environmentally sensitive Cahaba River Watershed. The diversity of the Cahaba River's fish population is greater than any other temperate river its size. Recognized as one of "Alabama's Ten Natural Wonders," the Cahaba is the longest free-flowing river in Alabama and has received attention from environmentalists throughout the nation." (Beverly Crider, http://blog.al.com/strange-alabama/2012/04/ebenezer_swamp_an_ecological_g.html)


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?:
Yes

Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
No

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:

Dr. Mike Hardig, UM's resident botanist, has conducted botanical surveys in Ebenezer Swamp Ecological Preserve.


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

The forest is home to mostly Tupelo Gum, with the occasional Red Maple, Loblolly Pine, Sweet Bay, Tulip Tree and Sycamore. Animal inhabitants include the Beaver, American Woodcock, Turkey, Great Blue Heron, Timber Rattlesnake, Water Moccasin, Copperhead, Raccoon, Opossum, and various freshwater clams. The preserve is also home to numerous herbaceous plant species, including three species of orchids and a rare species of cone-flower. (from http://blog.al.com/strange-alabama/2012/04/ebenezer_swamp_an_ecological_g.html)


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

The area is protected by the University; the University Foundation took legal action in years past to block the digging of a limestone quarry which would have drawn water out of the swamp, negatively impacting all species in the Swamp.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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