| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 77.24 |
| Liaison | Jim Dees |
| Submission Date | June 10, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Appalachian State University
OP-11: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Jim
Dees Data and Assessment Specialist Office of Sustailability |
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?:
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:
Legally protected lands:
The Appalachian Nature Preserve is a 67.4 acre area of Appalachian State's main campus that is pursuant to the Nature Preserves Act (North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 113A, Article 9A, and the NC Department of Administration) for the purpose of dedicating said lands as a North Carolina Nature Preserve.
Priority sites for biodiversity:
Appalachian State University owns a 252-acre tract of land in Ashe County, North Carolina acquired by the university in the late 1990s from alumnus Robert F. Gilley. The Gilley Field Station and associated property is a natural and undisturbed location that serves Appalachian as a long-term biology research and education lab.
Region of conservation importance:
Appalachian State owns approximately 13 acres on land along the South Fork of the New River that is designated as part of the Town of Boone Greenway Trail. This site has been delineated as Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) habitat and is the location of a 2.65 million dollar stream restoration project.
Appalachian owns an additional 4 properties (totaling 526 acres) that are in Watauga and Ashe counties that are subject to traditional conservation easements imposed by previous owners.
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
The methodology(-ies) used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
Direct sampling by Ecotoxicology, Freshwater ecology, aquatic ecology and Ichthyology classes under the direction of Dr. Robert Creed, Dr. Shea Tuberty and Dr. Mike Gangloff using NC Department of Environmental and Natural Resources protocol entitled "STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE BIOLOGICAL MONITORING STREAM FISH COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM".
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ess/bau/nativefish
http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document_library/get_file?p_l_id=1169848&folderId=125626&name=DLFE-78577.pdf
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The fish species on the S. Fork New River:
Kanawah Darter (Etheostoma kanawhae)
Kanawah minnow, Phenacobius teretulus
Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
American Chestnut
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Appalachian State in legally bound by North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 113A, Article 9A to ensure the continued stewardship of the Appalachian Nature Preserve.
The website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity policies and programs(s) is available:
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.