| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 55.52 |
| Liaison | Alan Burr |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2020 |
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Amy
Seeboth-Wilson Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Management |
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:
Campus includes 120 acres of protected area under the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Program (LAWCON). 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. Among participation criteria for LAWCON, are:
"Natural areas and preserves and outstanding scenic areas where the objective is to preserve the scenic or natural values, including areas of physical or biological importance and wildlife areas. These areas must be open to the general public for outdoor recreation use to the extent that the natural attributes of the areas will not be seriously impaired or lost;"
http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/nr/001/50/06
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:
Rusty-patched Bumblebee (Bombus affinis), Federally Endangered
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:
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
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance 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.
In 2019, a student researcher noted the presence of the Federally Endangered Rusty Patch Bumblebee on UWP campus. This led to including campus areas as part of the study area in the students' inventory project.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
This assessment covered the 120 acres of campus natural areas.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
While the whole area in question is protected by LAWCON status, we are actively working on improving and restoring the environmental sensitive areas listed above. We have a land management plan that outlines our priorities for these areas and have been investing in them through academic classes, volunteer projects, and campus operational efforts. In Summer 2017 we had a goat herd on campus to work on controlling invasive species.
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:
S:\WGroups\Sustainability\B. Data and Reporting\Campus Reporting\AASHE STARS\2020 Report Stars v2.2\Data\11. Operations - Grounds\OP10 - Biodiversity
S:\WGroups\Sustainability\B. Data and Reporting\Campus Reporting\AASHE STARS\2020 Report Stars v2.2\Data\11. Operations - Grounds\OP10 - Biodiversity
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.