| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.45 |
| Liaison | Monika Kamboures |
| Submission Date | May 30, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Monika
Kamboures Sustainability Coordinator Office of Planning, Sustainability & Transportation |
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 the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
The campus has the Voorhis Ecological Reserve west of the main campus. Other local
priority areas include Bonelli Regional Park (1.3 miles east) and the Walnut Hills Preserve (2.2 miles west).
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory 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 methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas (including most recent year assessed) and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
We continue to complete environmental site surveys for projects which are areas specifically noted within our campus' Environmental Impact Reports in an effort to evaluate existing habitats.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
We largely assess the habitat and potential for occurrence for the Coastal California Gnatcatcher and the California Black Walnuts.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Cal Poly is situated in the middle of the San José Hills and is part of a wildlife corridor that connects the San Gabriel and Santa Ana mountains. The natural areas of Cal Poly and the adjacent Buzzard Peak natural area constitute one of the largest remaining undeveloped lands in the region. This area has been designated a Significant Ecological Area (SEA) by Los Angeles County, and portions are regarded as significant by the California Department of Fish and Game.
The Voorhis Ecological Reserve in the northwest part of campus contains approximately 77 acres of coastal sage scrub and oak woodland. The Reserve contains at least four amphibian species, 12 reptiles, 100 birds, 38 mammals, 167 vascular plants, and unnumbered insects. As part of the master plan CEQA process in 2000, the university identified an area of land on the northwestern side of campus as protected habitat for the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica).
The biodiversity of campus provides a natural laboratory for teaching and research. A number of Master's theses have been based on studies of the Voorhis Ecological Reserve and other undeveloped areas, and a number of courses in several departments routinely use the areas. Biodiversity is part of the continuing heritage of the university, and of its modern stewardship. The campus commitment to sustainability includes biodiversity at its foundation.
The website URL where information about the programs or 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.