| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.55 |
| Liaison | Luis Maggiori |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2021 |
Lane Community College
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Luis
Maggiori Sustainability Coordinator Institute for Sustainable Practices |
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:
The main LCC campus sits within a larger watershed comprising the headwaters of Russel Creek, which drains into a 35 acre, LCC-owned wetland complex before entering the confluence region of the Coast Fork and Middle Fork Willamette Rivers. The Science and Math building is also surrounded by the Native Plant Landscape Project (NPLP) covering a 1.24 acre complex within the built environment of campus. The project is in its thirteenth year of growth and development and has resulted in a functioning ecosystem and valued campus learning resource. Phenology monitoring and associated research began earnestly within the NPLP in 2008. In 2013 LCC embarked on an expanded environmental monitoring program throughout the natural and landscaped sites.
The wetlands were legally delineated well over a decade ago
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:
Biology classes have kept databases of biodiversity data (plants,
animals, fungi) with hundreds of species documented. However, without
more in depth research into each species, we cannot provide a comprehensive
list of those with special protection status. As far as plants, there is a
sensitive species of annual native wildflower growing on campus that
students have monitored, although it has no legal protection status. Also, trail cameras managed by Science faculty, Stacey
Kiser and Jeanne McLaughlin, and located on the campus Taphonomy Lab
site captured the presence of a previously undocumented species of
mammal to occur in this area in 2019 (a spotted skunk
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:
Bioswale east of building 16 that Bi103F Wildflower Biology students planted with wetland prairie native species and have been monitoring annually since then.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
Long term plots along the bioswale to monitor vegetation and bee transects (adapted from the Xercis society) have been set up to gather data on the organisms in and around the bioswale wet prairie sites. Independent study student research projects have continued to use the site to do pollinator studies using Xercis protocols.
The fungal diversity plots utilize the intuitive search protocols established by the Forest Service.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
Plot sampling takes place during classes, some of which occur annually and are built into class activities and labs that correspond with undergraduate research projects.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
A Forest Management committee was formed by LCC Facilities during 2019 to work with the City of Eugene restoration ecologists and other stakeholders to pursuit fuels reduction grant opportunities that also provide experiential educational for students in Science classes, and potentially other disciplines. The Arlie Park adjacent to LCC land contains some quality native habitats and there’s great opportunity for restoration and connections with LCC lands.
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:
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.