| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.24 |
| Liaison | Lindsey Lyons |
| Submission Date | April 30, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Dickinson College
OP-11: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Tyce
Herrman Projects Coordinator Center for Sustainability Education |
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:
Starting in 2012 ALLARM Stream Restoration Coordinators, in collaboration with the Dickinson College Farm, began researching and developing protocols for a new riparian buffer, or protective area of vegetation next to a body of water, to be built along the Yellow Breeches Stream near the Dickinson College Farm. Riparian buffers are valuable tools for ensuring good stream quality and have multiple functions: stabilize stream banks, provide shade and mitigate the negative effects of nutrient and pollutant stormwater runoff. The goal of this project is to turn an animal pasture into a buffer to protect the stream from pollution. This project will make the site an accessible educational area for both the College and the greater Carlisle community.
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:
We have done assessment and monitoring of many species and environmentally sensitive areas, particularly at the college farm. These include, but are not limited to:
IPM with Hub Ponds and American Toads
Bluebirds
Snakes
Native pollinators
Riparian buffer
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
See above
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Our campus is home to many types of small wildlife including squirrels, birds, chipmunks, rabbits and a several mallard ducks that return annually to nest in various areas around campus. We have several native plant landscapes and other ways to naturally support wildlife and habitats (see landscaping credit).
Dickinson also provides extensive wildlife habitat at the College Farm. Natural areas are maintained with plant species that provide habitat and food for wildlife, with a particular emphasis on native pollinators. Bluebird boxes and a bluebird trail have been established at the farm, and stream restoration and clean up have been done on the Yellow Breeches Creek, which borders our farm and is an important trout fishery. Students and faculty engage in research on human/wildlife interactions at the farm that includes amphibians, reptiles, birds, and pollinators.
The website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity policies and programs(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
More information about GIS at the riparian buffer:
http://blogs.dickinson.edu/gis/2014/05/05/effective-site-management-using-gis-using-sophisticated-gps-equipment-to-map-allarms-riparian-buffer/
Student research on IPM strategies at the farm, which includes inventorying and assessing species and habitats: http://scholar.dickinson.edu/student_honors/5/
More information about GIS at the riparian buffer:
http://blogs.dickinson.edu/gis/2014/05/05/effective-site-management-using-gis-using-sophisticated-gps-equipment-to-map-allarms-riparian-buffer/
Student research on IPM strategies at the farm, which includes inventorying and assessing species and habitats: http://scholar.dickinson.edu/student_honors/5/
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.