University of Texas at San Antonio
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Mei L
May Director Office of Sustainability Sustainability |
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?:
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
The proposed Habitat Conservation Plan would potentially cover 41.7 acres of the eat poortion of UTSA's Main Campus. The preserved area houses natural cave formations.
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?:
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
The proposed Habitat Conservation Plan covers Cicurina madla, Rhadine exilis, and
Golden-cheeked Warbler on UTSA’s property.
Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
In 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) re-evaluated critical habitat for the nine Bexar County invertebrates known to occupy caves in areas of Karst terrain. USFWS determined the UTSA Main Campus fit their profile of areas for recovery of the species.
Partially based on the survey results, UTSA's Office of Sustainability was $724,000 by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Departmen to carry out its Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).
Link to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Nine Bexar County, TX, Invertebrates" assessment:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2012/02/14/2012-2195/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-designation-of-critical-habitat-for-nine-bexar-county
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
In 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) re-evaluated critical habitat for the nine Bexar County invertebrates known to occupy caves in areas of Karst terrain. USFWS determined the UTSA Main Campus fit their profile of areas for recovery of the species.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
For the purposes of developing research space around the Karst Invetbrates, the University developed studies to identify practicum to recover the species and protect the critical habitat unit.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
The UTSA East Campus has a geology indicative of specific endangered species, and areas of it are also includes in the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer, the main source of drinking water for San Antonio.
Based on this, the UTSA Master Plan Sustainability Guidelines include provisions calling for the protection of sensitive habitat and the connectivity of habitat, as well as the protection of endangered species. The Master Plan establishes three "Greene\ Reserve" zones, the purpose of which includes sensitive and species rich riparian habitats and endangered species habitats and protecting the aquifer recharge zone. In zone three in particular, which includes the protected habitats and recharge areas, only small free-standing structures and water quality basins may be constructed.
Sustainability and Resilience Principles on campus master planning:
https://www.utsa.edu/masterplan/documents/1_one-university-multiple-campuses.pdf
The Master Plan Sustainability guidelines are found on: http://www.utsa.edu/masterplan/pdfs/MP_Sustainability_Guidelines.pdf
The Greene Reserve Guidelines are found on: http://www.utsa.edu/masterplan/pdfs/MP_Green_Reserve.pdf
Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :
Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity 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.