| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.46 |
| Liaison | Margaret Bounds |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Connecticut College
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
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 college protects approximately 583 acres as natural areas and lands managed for wildlife and conservation. The area around Mamacoke Island in the Thames River is recognized as a National Audubon Important Bird Area.
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:
Bolleswood Natural Area detailed vegetation surveys every 10 years since 1951 (2012). Breeding bird census approx. every 2 years (2016). Annual waterfowl surveys in Thames River (2016). Entire property has been extensively botanized and "birded" for decades by professional ecologists and students
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Monitoring a population of Asclepias purpurescens, regionally rare in New England and State listed as Special Concern. We protect one of Connecticut's only unditched tidal salt marshes. We have mapped in GIS all vernal pools on collge property. We also protect a small bog/fen with pitcher plants, sundews and other unusual plants. We have expanded early successional habitat to support declining bird species. State Threated Great Egret, Snowy Egret and Bald Eagle feed or hunt around Mamacoke Island. Based on the Connecticut Important Bird Area list of species of global concern or of continental or regional concern because of population declines and habitat loss our natural areas and managed meadows support breeding populations of many species of continental and regional concern. The campus propoer also supports a population of Chimney Swifts which are of global concern.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Natural Areas are designated by College Board of Trustees as land for teaching, research and conservation.
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:
Sources include: arboretum bulletins, annual reports, and policies. http://www.conncoll.edu/media/website-media/images/content/arbo/CC-Arb-Research-Bibliograph-to-2016.pdf
Sources include: arboretum bulletins, annual reports, and policies. http://www.conncoll.edu/media/website-media/images/content/arbo/CC-Arb-Research-Bibliograph-to-2016.pdf
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.