Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 59.07
Liaison Matt Wolsfeld
Submission Date March 5, 2020
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:
Assessment includes inventories, mapping and data collected by the Meewasin Valley Authority on an annual basis to their natural resource management program. The Meewasin Valley Authority assesses protected land, wildlife habitat, ecological integrity, source water protection, land-use mix, green space, public access and more.

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. All development is strictly controlled through a Development Review process to ensure the riverbank and river maintain both ecological integrity and public access. In 2017, the Meewasin Valley-Wide Resource Management Plan was developed in partnership with over 50 stakeholders and all levels of government. This plan identifies more than 180 key conservation actions within the Valley.

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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