| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.76 |
| Liaison | Shahrzad Tehrani |
| Submission Date | Jan. 14, 2022 |
University of Washington, Bothell
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
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 Washington Bothell/Cascadia College campus houses one of the largest and most complex floodplain restorations in Washington State. The restoration began in 1997 with the construction of campus, and is a bold attempt to restore the lower part of the North Creek stream channel and 58 acres of pastureland to a sustainable, functioning floodplain ecosystem within an urbanizing watershed. The project is unique in the degree to which fundamental theories of ecosystem and restoration ecology were utilized in the design and are being employed in the management of the site.
Diligent maintenance combined with thoughtful design has helped make this wetland a regionally-recognized success story. Just seven years after finishing planting, the wetland met 100% of its ten-year project objectives set in the design plan. It is now home to a rich mosaic of plants and animals, providing a living laboratory for the study of wetland ecosystems and ecological restoration. K-12 and college classes from around the Puget Sound region have visited, while local scientists use the site to study nature and its recovery.
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:
Salmon: chinook, coho, chum, pink and sockeye. Only the Chinook salmon are threatened federally/state wise.
Other salmon are facing threats in state due to pollution in the area.
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha,(chinook - threatened)
Oncorhynchus kisutch (coho, not warranted)
Oncorhynchus keta (chum, not warranted)
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (pink, not warranted)
Oncorhynchus nerka (sockeye, not warranted)
Not warranted is the WA state term of current level of protection. All salmon in the state are vulnerable.
Also, Kokanee salmon spawn on campus as well in North Creek, the river that runs through our campus wetland.
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:
Our campus protects a 58-acre restored wetland, a section of North Creek, rare hillslope wetlands, and several pockets of mature conifer forest which are used by many species of native fish and wildlife including Chinook, coho and sockeye salmon. Our many gardens support a variety of native pollinators including several species of native bumble bees which scientists believe may be in decline. Two were sponsored by the Washington Native Plant society for native pollinator supporting bees.
Our grounds are managed pesticide free since 2006, and with permaculture methods for planning and design, incorporating native plants and edible plants, and low mowing and zero-mowing areas to support wildlife.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
We are currently using Maritime Northwest Citizen Science Monitoring protocols to monitor the presence of bees on campus. We also identified environmentally sensitive areas as part of the EIS for our Campus Master Plan, and identified areas to protect in new development, such as the upland wetlands which could have been destroyed with the creation of a new parking garage, but were protected. Classes survey fish and birds using protocols formulated by faculty members across campus.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
The scope of the assessment advised the 2017 Campus master plan, all building areas, the restored wetland, and potential building construction sites were considered.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Our campus received Salmon-Safe Certification in 2008, holding our 58-acre wetland as a protected piece of land since its restoration and our inception. As a Certified Wildlife Habitat and Bee Campus USA Affiliate, the organic management of the campus landscape also provides habitat across campus. Our Grounds Team works with faculty and staff to identify ways to further support ecosystem and habitat creation and conservation.
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.