| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.27 |
| Liaison | Suchi Daniels |
| Submission Date | Feb. 22, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of South Florida (Tampa)
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Suchi Urs
Daniels, RA, LEED AP BD + C, Quality Assurance Program Manager/Project Manager Facilities Planning |
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?:
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
The Greenway has been incrementally developed through the phased implementation of the stormwater management plan, the implementation of related landscape improvements, development of built edges through decisive placement of future buildings along the edges of the Greenway, and completion of circulation routes linking one area of the Greenway to another. These efforts have resulted in linking habitat islands, reducing heat islands, improving students’ direct relationship with local flora and fauna, and providing increased opportunities for both active and passive recreation and improved pedestrian flow. In addition, parts of the Greenway (especially the recreational forest, and Botanical Garden) actively sequester carbon dioxide and thus provide offsets for the campus’ carbon footprint. In addition to the USF main campus, the university owns 735 acres north of Fletcher Ave., which includes the USF Forest Preserve and "The Claw at USF" golf course.
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?:
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
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 USF Forest Preserve is over 500-acre plot of wetland and sandhill habitat. It is home to a variety of plants and animals, many of whom are threatened or endangered and also several that are fire-dependent. Part of the area is routinely burned in order to conduct research on ecological succession. The forest has two primary functions: research and teaching.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The USF Forest Preserve preserves the last remaining sizable patch of sandhill habitat in the area. Many species of animals and plants that depend on this kind of habitat and are present in the preserve would otherwise be absent from a substantial area. Second, the preserve is near the edge of a substantial “island” of undeveloped land that is surrounded by increasing urbanization.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The USF Tampa Facility and Campus includes a private riverfront park and conservation land for wetland research.
USF Riverfront Park is an exciting recreational park. The park is open to current USF students, staff and faculty with a USF ID. Riverfront Park offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities from picnic facilities to canoeing and kayaking. At USF Riverfront Park you will get to experience Florida wildlife in its natural habitat, which may include Florida gators. For information on gator wildlife in Florida
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:
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.