| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.91 |
| Liaison | Tom Hartzell |
| Submission Date | Dec. 21, 2022 |
Calvin University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Jen
Howell Preserve Manager Ecosystem Preserve |
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:
Calvin University owns and manages two nature preserves - the 104-acre Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens (CEPNG) (https://calvin.edu/ecosystem-preserve/about/) and the 68-acre Flat Iron Lake Preserve (FILP) (http://www.calvin.edu/academic/eco-preserve/about/filphistory.html). Flat Iron Lake Preserve was established with a legally binding preservation agreement between the donors (Fritz and Carol Rottman) and Calvin University, the CEPNG is not legally protected, but has institutional commitment to its ongoing protection in perpetuity.
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:
Side-oats gramma grass - Endangered
Purple coneflower - Presumed Extirpated
Gorgone Checkerspot - Presumed Extirpated
Long-eared Owl - Threatened
Smoky Shrew - Threatened
Beak grass - Threatened
Rosinweed - Threatened
Compass plant - Threatened
Cup plant - Threatened
Blanding's Turtle - Special Concern
Eastern Box Turtle - Special Concern
Black-crowned Night Heron - Special Concern
False Boneset - Special Concern
Davis's Sedge - Special Concern
False White Indigo - Special Concern
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:
The CEPNG has an unusual kettle swamp that has been set apart as off limits to the general public. It also supports a series of ephemeral ponds that are high quality breeding areas for native frogs, toads and salamanders. The FILP has a kettle lake which supports a large diversity of aquatic plants, insects and fish. It is also home to a 17 acre tallgrass prairie ecosystem.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
We have done botanical inventories at both sites, along with a Floristic Quality Assessment for the CEPNG. Annual monitoring activities take place at the CEPNG such as small mammal population survey, breeding bird survey, and tree census.
The species inventory lists for the preserve can be found at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/144ZxI4T8Xv2YXnDTRg1SYDAsws9jCB0WznIVzueuVFA/edit?usp=sharing
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
The initial CEPNG assessment was compiled in 2002 and was repeated in the summer of 2019. Since then, we have gained the capacity to complete annual inventories and can compare historical inventories of this parcel over time, which will help us determine which species are in decline and in particular need of restoration efforts.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Each summer we have an active management crew to do work in both preserves, conducting bird and mammal surveys and also controlling invasive species. The CEPNG has a formal Preserve Management Plan and we have a burn plan for each preserve, which details which area need to be burned annually to promote habitat health and discourage invasive species. Each summer two students are hired to be caretakers and research assistants at the FILP and during the academic year with have a student intern hired to do restoration work in the CEPNG.
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:
Information and species surveys received from Jen Howell (Preserve Manager) and David Warners (Bio Faculty)
The Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens includes 23 distinct native gardens. Since these were intentionally planted in 2019, these species are not included in our species inventory, as they are not wild, naturally-occurring populations.
Information and species surveys received from Jen Howell (Preserve Manager) and David Warners (Bio Faculty)
The Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens includes 23 distinct native gardens. Since these were intentionally planted in 2019, these species are not included in our species inventory, as they are not wild, naturally-occurring populations.
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.