| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.61 |
| Liaison | Tina Woolston |
| Submission Date | Nov. 2, 2022 |
Tufts University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Henry
Puza Grounds Manager Facilities Services |
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:
Although the IBAT map does not show "any legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance" near Grafton, Massachusetts, the Grafton campus master plan depicts watershed areas for the Grafton Water Department as well as wetlands for various wildlife and vegetation.
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:
This has currently only been completed on the Grafton campus. There were no endangered or vulnerable species identified on the campus.
https://tuftsgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=b1ead12d52774ee08bc6efa408531b11
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:
On the rural Grafton campus: Watershed and wetlands, Blue Spotted Salamanders, spotted owls, moosewood lady slippers as well as many species of protected invertebrates. There is preferred habitat of the long-eared bat, although there are no bats currently residing in it.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
The Grafton campus master plan identifies these areas. Wildlife Program staff have recorded areas, and a third party prepared a forest management plan.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
The scope of the assessments where the land that Tufts owns in Grafton, Massachusetts.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Not allowing the use of neonicotinoids for systemic pest controls, which has been linked to honey bee decline. On the Medford Campus, dead tree removal was halted due to nesting red tail hawks. Almost all of the new planting specifications include a measure of native and drought tolerant plants. Invasive species are pulled by hand,and, if that is not feasible, simply contained by boundaries and cut down in the winter.
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.