| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47.04 |
| Liaison | Debbie Liddick |
| Submission Date | April 21, 2023 |
Black Hills State University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Eric
Hanson Grounds Crew leader Facilities Services |
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:
BHSU owns land adjacent to Spearfish Creek which is the main river that runs through town. This land is in a floodplain which is legally protected. We are starting conversations with the city who wants to implement a Spearfish Creek Preservation project which might include some collaborative creek restoration along this portion of land owned by BHSU.
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:
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:
BHSU has an area of ~1.5 acres that is considered native prairie and is believed to have never been plowed. This area is not mowed or fertilized, and is left alone to protect the native species there. Botany classes and professors have identified the biodiversity of plant life present in this area. Link to the list of species identified there is included below:
https://www.bhsu.edu/Faculty-Staff/Campus-Services/Facilities-Services/Sustainability/Native-Area
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
Classes have gone out to identify the plant species present in this area of native biodiversity - this is not an ongoing assessment or very structured monitoring mechanism, especially because it does not gather information about other species present there.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
Classes went out to identify what species are present in 2017-18.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Continue to leave the native prairie area alone.
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.