| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.59 |
| Liaison | Beverley Ayeni |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
University of Toronto Mississauga
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Minali
Giani Sustainability Intern Facilities Management and Planning |
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 University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) is located within the Credit River Watershed Boundary and includes a number of ecologically sensitive and protected areas.
These natural assets are recognized at the municipal level through the Greenlands zoning designation G1 which restricts most development on those parts of the campus that have this designation. The City of Mississauga and the Credit Valley Conservation Authority share jurisdiction when it comes to redevelopment on campus.
Aside from the Greenlands or G1 zoning designation and in many cases within the boundaries of the areas of campus that fall under this designation there are additional levels of recognition on and adjacent to the campus. These include Areas of Natural & Scientific Interest (ANSI) designated at the Provincial level, Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) designated by the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, UTM designated Ecological/No Build zones identified in successive Master Plans, and there are also areas of the campus that contain or provide habitat that supports designated threatened and endangered species that are both Provincially and Federally protected under law.
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:
UTM is home to a variety of flora and fauna and great efforts are taken to preserve the unique character. As a part of a proactive development planning strategy and a commitment to ensuring all operational and development decision making is well informed the UTM has engaged the Credit Valley Conservation Authority and Private Environmental Consultants to inventory and assess the ecological significant constraints present on campus. The following list of Identified species represents only a very small portion of the available species data collected however this list represents priority protected species known to be present on campus:
Herpetofauna: Ambystoma jeffersonainum laterale - Jefferson Salamander. Endangered.
Bat: Perimyotis subflavus - Tri-Coloured Bat – Endangered
Bat: Myotis leibii - Eastern Small Footed Myotis – Endangered
Bat: Myotis lucifugus - Little Brown Myotis – Endangered
Bird: Chaetura pelagica - Chimney Swift. Threatened.
Bird: Hirundo rustica - Barn Swallow. Special concern.
Bird: Petrochelidon pyrrhonota - Cliff Swallow. Threatened.
Tree: Juglans cinerea - Butternut. Threatened.
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:
Established and respected Ecological No build zones comprised of woodlots, tablelands wetlands and wildlife movement corridors make up a good portion of UTM.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
Endangered and vulnerable species identification on campus has been accomplished through both observational reporting, field investigation data records evaluation and focused targeted searches. As an academic institution, we also have the benefit of additional site-specific research records that have documented some of unique natural features of the campus which include vulnerable species.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
There have been multiple environmental assessments on the campus either in support of development planning initiatives, stewardship programs or as a result of academic curiosity and research. The collective knowledge of the site is significant.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
UTM is committed to site sensitive low impact design and development for all new construction and the responsible stewardship, protection and conservation of all its natural and ecological assets.
Some of the strategies the University of Toronto Mississauga has implemented to protect, restore or enhance natural areas and habitat that supports vulnerable or identified species at risk are below:
- Established and respected Ecological No build zones
- Created and enhanced species movement corridors
- Invasive species removal where possible
- Minimized the disturbance to existing woodlots allowing fallen trees to remain if possible
- Use of native species in all landscape plantings
- General Pesticide ban for landscaping maintenance
There are also on-going monitoring programs for specific identified species as prescribed under various legislation.
The University of Toronto Mississauga also completed a detailed master planning exercise that was undertaken by the university and a project consultant team between February 2020 and November 2021. The recommendations of the Plan are informed by a rigorous consultation program, as well as expert recommendations related to urban planning and design, architecture and landscape architecture, sustainability, ecology, transportation, cultural heritage, and stormwater management and servicing.
Outlined in the Campus Master Plan are three guiding principles for UTM's development. One of these principles, Sustainability, encompasses a thoughtful consideration of campus ecology.
As stated, “Development on the UTM Campus should be informed by an ecologically sensitive approach that supports and enhances UTM’s natural setting along the Credit River Valley. UTM’s ecological setting is a unique, defining element of the campus that should be leveraged, enhanced, and protected to maintain the existing ecological function of the campus and adjacent natural areas, including forests and the Credit River. Future development at UTM should pursue opportunities that enhance the existing campus ecology and improve the interface between campus spaces and natural areas.
Future development should be strategic in the siting and design of buildings, open spaces, public realm elements, and connections, to ensure that:
• Anthropogenic lands are prioritized for development.
• Development areas are studied to minimize impacts to the remaining natural woodlands and wetlands on campus.
• Adverse impacts to sensitive environmental lands and associated wildlife, flora, and fauna are minimized.
• Maintaining tree cover on the campus remains a priority.
• Appropriate transitions, buffers, and views to adjacent sensitive environmental lands are applied.
• Opportunities to enhance sites through native species plantings or invasive species removal are considered
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.