Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Alan Burr
Submission Date Feb. 29, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Wisconsin-Platteville
OP-11: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter Amy Seeboth-Wilson
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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?:
Yes

A brief description of any legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance on institution owned or managed land:

Campus has approximately 120 acres of protected area that is open for public use. This area, called Memorial Park, runs along the southern border of campus and contains a combination of woods, prairie, and mowed parkland. It features a class 1 trout stream, recreation trails, a disc golf course, and arboretum. It is protected as a LAWCON Acquisition by Wisconsin Statute NR 50, Administration of Outdoor Recreation Program Grants and State Aids.


Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes

Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes

The methodology(-ies) used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:

During the summer of 2015, Dr. Yari Johnson, UW-Platteville Reclamation Faculty, with assistance from two students, conducted an assessment of our campus "natural areas" - 120 acres on campus proper. He divided the acreage into 30 distinct "native communities" (10 prairies, 5 wetlands, 12 forests/woodlands, and 3 oak savannas) based upon their plant and wildlife makeup, and then documented their current status, any endangered or vulnerable species within the area, and developed recommendations for protecting and restoring the area. We have developed a land management plan based upon these recommendations and it is awaiting approval from the administration. In the plan, we recommend a restoration process and timeline for each area.


A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:

Natural Communities native to Wisconsin identified by the inventory include:
- 2 Oak woodlands,
- 2 Floodplain Forests,
- 4 Mixed hardwood-pine forests,
- 3 mixed hardwood forests,
- 8 Prairies,
- 1 Submergent marsh,
- 2 Fen's,
- 2 Wet prairies,
- 1 Wet-mesic prairie,
- 3 Oak savanna's


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

While the whole area in question is protected by LAWCON status, we also are working on adopting a plan of action to restore these areas to a healthier status. This plan of action was approved of by a committee representing campus on Dec. 8th, 2015, and is awaiting approval from the upper administration at present.


The website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity policies and programs(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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