| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.42 |
| Liaison | Kate Witte |
| Submission Date | May 25, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Keene State College
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Bud
Winsor Asst. Dir. Physical Plant - Grounds 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 the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
Our Athletic Complex is along the Ashuelot River Bank and includes a Silver maple floodplain forest, an area of conservation importance in NH.
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:
Students in the Environmental Studies department use the land near the athletic complex as a living laboratory and have annually monitored the populations in vernal pools and other important conservation areas. Additionally, the athletic complex is used as a MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) bird-banding site. Migratory bird species are surveyed several times each year.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
While much wildlife has been observed on campus, including Snowy Owls, Deer, Rabbit, fox, etc. Campus property has also been used to release important species such as Red Tail Hawk and Bard Owl from local wildlife rehabilitation agencies. Vernal pools on campus property are populated with threatened species such as Fairy shrimp and mole salamander larvae.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Property we own adjacent to campus houses our athletic fields and a wildlife management area. Keene State College enforces strict conservation practices, in conjunction with the USDA natural resources conservation program, such as delayed mowing and erosion control in order to encourage wildlife. A plethora of wildlife co-exists on this landscape and includes everything from snowy owls and egrets, to red-winged blackbirds,rabbits and deer.
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.