Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 54.90
Liaison Matt Wolsfeld
Submission Date Jan. 23, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Saskatchewan
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Erin Akins
Sustainability Coordinator
Office of 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:

Created in 1979, The Meewasin Valley Authority Act is a provincial act that aims to conserve the cultural and natural resources of the South Saskatchewan River Valley in the Saskatoon region. It is the means by which the City of Saskatoon, Province of Saskatchewan, and University of Saskatchewan jointly manage the resources of the Meewasin Valley. The University owns approximately 80 acres of land within the Meewasin Valley.


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?:
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 Meewasin Valley Authority conducts a State of the Valley assessment periodically. The last assessment was completed September 2016. The report assesses protected land, wildlife habitat, ecological integrity, source water protection, land-use mix, green space, public access and more. The assessment is based on inventories and mapping, and data collected by the Meewasin Valley Authority on an annual basis.


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

These lands include a wildlife corridor adjacent to an aquatic river ecosystem that extends beyond university lands and makes up a 60km conservation zone. The university lands support an ecological transition zone from riparian habitat to high prairie adjacent to developed areas. Important species include the American White Pelican, coyotes, native shrubs, native grasses, mammals and butterflies.


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

Since its creation, Meewasin has directed many conservation projects which have protected and enhanced the river valley and the riverbank area on at the University of Saskatchewan. The corridor hosts 40 km of public trail and all development is strictly controlled through a Development Review process to ensure the riverbank and river maintain both ecological integrity and public access. Annually Meewasin hosts a River Valley clean-up event with public and school participation.


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