| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 48.98 |
| Liaison | Kevin Miller |
| Submission Date | Feb. 3, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Goshen College
OP-11: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Glenn
Gilbert Retired - Utilities Manager/ Sustainability Coordinator Physical Plant |
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:
Goshen College does have legally protected areas — part of Merry Lea Environmental Center is in the Indiana State Nature Preserve System. Their mission statement is:
The mission of the Division of Nature Preserves is to identify, protect, and manage an array of nature preserves and natural areas in sufficient numbers and sufficient sizes to maintain viable examples of all of Indiana's natural communities. Nature Preserves will also manage and maintain viable populations of endangered, threatened and rare species. These activities will be conducted for the benefit of the natural communities, their representative species as well as the benefit of future generations of mankind. (http://www.in.gov/dnr/naturepreserve/4733.htm#nature).
A map and information about our 353 acres that are in the SNP system can be found at http://www.in.gov/dnr/naturepreserve/files/np-Merry_Lea_Nature_Preserve.pdf.
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:
The the overarching legal documents regarding all Merry Lea land include the requirement for conservation and preservation of the land, along with the need for a land management plan to care for the land accordingly.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Nesting bird populations are carefully monitored through bird banding at Merry Lea every year and migratory birds are tracked on the property through participation in the Audubon May Bird Count at the Merry Lea site.
Vulnerable species that are being monitored include field sparrows, hesper sparrows, cerulean warblers, and prothonotary warblers.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Witmer Woods, and Merry Lea conservation site (which works with wetland restoration and prairie reconstruction) are a part of Goshen College’s commitment to wildlife habitat. Goshen also sells some restoration climate sequestration credits from Merry Lea.
Merry Lea is the main branch of campus that works to restore habitats, and has a management and integration program to do so. Goshen College prairies also provide a good habitat for different insects and animals.
The website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity policies and programs(s) is available:
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.