Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 52.39
Liaison Margo Margo Nottoli
Submission Date Aug. 24, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Warren Wilson College
OP-11: Biodiversity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Alison Climo
Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Institutional Effectiveness
"---" 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:

The Warren Wilson Farm has the Swannanoa River running through it. While animals used to graze up to and even stand in the river, there is now a legally protected riparian buffer on either side of the river.


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?:
No

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

Random sampling of biota on campus is conducted through a variety of courses from ecology, wetland creation courses, biology courses, and more.


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

The Mole Salamander has be found on campus through random sampling, which is an endangered species according to the state of NC.


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

Any impacts which compromise wildlife values should be minimized. Landscape planning is done in consideration of property surrounding the campus so as to decrease fragmentation and maintain wildlife corridors and forest buffers. All agricultural and forestry operations should occur only after consultation with faculty members who have conservation biology expertise, and they should maintain riparian buffers. Wetlands and riparian zones should be protected as to minimize erosion and loss of wildlife habitat. The College has a wildlife and biodiversity management policy.

Two wetlands have also been created, which are ideal habitat for the Mole Salamander.


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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