Overall Rating	Silver
Overall Score	46.93
Liaison	Kevin Salfen
Submission Date	Oct. 21, 2024

STARS v2.2

University of the Incarnate Word
OP-10: Biodiversity

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	1.00 / 2.00 This credit is weighted more heavily for institutions that own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to any of the following: Legally protected areas (e.g., IUCN Category I-VI) Internationally recognized areas (e.g., World Heritage, Ramsar, Natura 2000) Priority sites for biodiversity (e.g., Key Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites) Regions of conservation importance (e.g., Endemic Bird Areas, Biodiversity Hotspots, High Biodiversity Wilderness Areas) 2 points are available for this credit if the institution owns or manages land that includes or is adjacent to any of the above. 1 point is available for this credit for all other institutions. Close	Kathelyn Perez Graduate Research Assistant School of Professional Studies

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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?:

Yes

A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:

The Headwaters at Incarnate Word aim to reserve, restore, and celebrate the rich natural, cultural, historical, spiritual, and educational values of the headwaters of the San Antonio River, especially within the 53-acre Headwaters Sanctuary. It maintains to create a sustainable relationship with God’s creation by offering environmental education, reflective experiences on care of creation, and practical, hands-on volunteer opportunities to restore and protect the land. Headwaters at Incarnate Word is a nonprofit sponsored Earth care ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. (Headwaters is adjacent to, but not part of, the University of the Incarnate Word.) Walking trails invite exploration of the Sanctuary and connect it to adjacent parks and natural areas. The river is connected from its historic source at the Blue Hole to the southernmost Mission, Mission San Francisco de la Espada.

Endangered and vulnerable species

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:

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Areas of biodiversity importance

Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:

Yes

A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:

We are working diligently to control the invasive plant species within the Headwaters Sanctuary. We have not had a professional biodiversity study performed on the site since one was executed to fulfill the Conservation Easement filing requirement in 2020. There were 2 biodiversity studies performed by Trinity University students in 2012 and 2016. These student studies included plant surveys performed by a local plant expert.

Methodologies

If yes to either of the above, provide the following:

The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:

Headwaters surveys performed: North American Butterfly Association Surveys, spring and fall; Xerces Society Firefly Survey Jul-Aug 2024; Bexar Audubon Rookery Survey Aug 2023; and eBird reporting by Bexar Audubon representatives monthly Oct-June each year starting 2016. Soil Health Baseline Assessment completed May 2023.

A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):

North American Butterfly Association:

Gather data that will monitor butterfly populations
Give butterfliers a chance to socialize and have fun
Raise public awareness by hosting events that will increase general interest in butterflies.

Firefly survey:

To conserve the full diversity of fireflies
Advance understanding of firefly distributions, life histories, and extinction risks
Identify and addressing threats to their populations,
Recovering populations that have declined
Engaging people from all walks in life in saving and protecting these species.

Bexar Audubon Rookery Survey:

Conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats for humanity and the earth's biological diversity.

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

Headwaters Projects/Programs: multi-year commitment to Invasive Plant Management Program; installation of a 2-acre native grass prairie 2024; and Forest Floor Seeding Project to increase native seed population in soil seed bank 2022-2024.

Optional Fields

Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :

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Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity 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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