| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 42.20 |
| Liaison | Tracy Harvey |
| Submission Date | Dec. 21, 2023 |
Loyola University Maryland
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 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, 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:
Stony Run Park is land owned by the State of Maryland and thus protected by state law. The Stony Run Park consists of a walking path that runs along the Stony Run Stream, a tributary to the Jones Fall, which runs through the city, into the Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore's inner harbor.
https://data.imap.maryland.gov/datasets/maryland::maryland-protected-lands-local-protected-lands/explore?location=39.345095%2C-76.621451%2C16.44
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fTvaUdgrwRnuehqa7
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:
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:
Loyola University Maryland has multiple spaces dedicated to native plants and advancing biodiversity across its campus. The campus has native plantings throughout our campus gardens, three no-mow areas to reduce stormwater run-off and support local biodiversity, and three dedicated biodiversity spaces--our Peace Meadow, our Conservation and Experiential Learning Garden (CELG), and the green space of our Fitness and Aquatic Center.
The CELG is a 12,000-square-foot garden featuring a certified wildlife habitat. Our native tree grove of sassafras, paw paw, and serviceberry directly supports the Baltimore Oriole, the Northern Cardinal, the American Robin, and many other birds. Our Pollinator Meadow of Bee Balm, Coreopsis, Black Eyed Susan, Echinacea, Goldenrod, and Milkweed support various pollinators, including the leaf-cutting bee and the monarch butterfly. The CELG is also in close proximity to the Stony Run Stream, a tributary that flows into the Chesapeake Bay, whose health is critical to local wildlife in our urban setting. The CELG is a certified Monarch Waystation for migration Monarchs and a certified National Wildlife Foundation (NWF) Wildlife Habitat.
The Peace Meadow at Loyola also borders the Stony Run Stream and is a 25,000-square-foot valley of deep-rooting perennial native plants that attract pollinators and reduce stormwater runoff into the stream. The space is a certified Monarch Waystation, with its milkweed and nectar flowers providing critical habitat for migration Monarch butterflies.
The green space at our Fitness and Aquatic Center is three acres of low-mow conservation landscaping which provides enhanced food and cover for birds and insects in this grove of ancient trees. The space is also home to multiple City Champion trees that our Grounds crew makes a particularly conscious effort to protect.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
All no-mow or low-mow spaces at Loyola were picked for several factors, including the expected value the space would have to wildlife, to mitigate damage from erosion, to assuage harmful stormwater runoff, and to conserve the soil.
The CELG and Peace Meadow's proximity to the Stony Run played a pivotal role in the shift towards the prioritization of more sustainable landscaping practices. The CELG is along a slope, which slopes down towards the Stony Run Stream. The Peace Meadow is a valley that borders a different part of the Stony Run. Thus, the topography of each space made the Stony Run particularly vulnerable to stormwater runoff and the green space that consistently borders and surrounds the stream provided a wildlife highway each of these spaces could build off of. Deep-rooted native plants and less harsh landscaping practices mitigate stormwater damage to the stream while also providing wildlife with valuable habitat in an urban setting.
The green space at our Fitness and Aquatics Center was chosen given its size and its distance from impervious surfaces, allowing for more plants to thrive. A sufficient distance from impervious surfaces like roads and pathways is difficult to come by on a campus in an urban setting, so the decision to label it as one of our native plant-exclusive, biodiversity-focused green spaces was simple.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
Assessment included all green spaces on campus and weighing a number of factors, including proximity to the Stony Run Stream, topography, size, existing flora & fauna, distance from impervious surfaces, distance from surfaces that may be salted in the winter months, and more.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Loyola University Maryland seeks to expand the role of the campus landscape to support native biodiversity, protect the local ecosystem and inspire environmental stewardship.
Programs and Priorities
Loyola University Maryland is committed to establishing critical urban native habitat to support vulnerable and migrating species. Below are designated native habitats.
https://www.loyola.edu/department/sustainability/programs-initiatives
Student Group: Formerly the Baltimore Biodiversity Alliance hosts 6-8 invasive species removal days and native planting days each academic year. The group focuses it's efforts in native plant spaces highlighted earlier (Peace Meadow and CLEG). The group is merging with Environmental Action Club ahead of the 2023-2024 academic year and maintaining normal operations, on top of new ones.
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.