University of California, Los Angeles
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Nurit
Katz Chief Sustainability Officer Sustainability |
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:
Stunt Ranch Reserve (310 acres) sits within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA, Los Angeles, CA). The park is the largest urban national park in the world. The SMMNRA is an integral component of the Greater Los Angeles area. Situated along the Pacific Coast and running east-west along the Transverse Ranges of Southern California, the Santa Monica Mountains stretch into the San Fernando and Simi Valleys and much of West Los Angeles. The biodiversity of this region includes over 1,000 plant species that comprise 26 distinct natural communities, and over 400 species of birds have been observed. There are at least 35 reptile and amphibian species, and the park is home to greater than 50 threatened or endangered species, which is among the highest concentration of rare species in the United States.
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:
Though not through scientific assessment, we have identified areas for restoration and have a formal reserve.
The Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve is one of 39 reserves operated by the University of California Natural Reserve System (UC NRS). The UC NRS network consists of 756,000 acres, encompassing nearly all California ecosystem types. The UC NRS is the largest university-administered reserve system in the world, and its sites provide unique research opportunities for teaching, research, and public service.
Sage Hill, located in the northwest corner of campus, is 3.4 acres of native California habitat that is home to a high diversity of flora and fauna — including 50 native higher plant species, 7 native mammal species, 17 butterflies species, and almost 30 resident and migratory bird species. Overseen by the Institute of Environment and Sustainability, Sage Hill serves as an outdoor learning space, providing hands-on, meaningful teaching and undergraduate research opportunities for students in all fields. In the past, UCLA faculty have used Sage Hill as a site for instruction for courses in geography, ecology, environmental science, sustainability, zooarcheology, film, and many other topics. It is a frequent site for continued student and faculty driven restoration projects. Visit the Sage Hill website for the most up to date information: https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/sagehill/.
UCLA students, staff, and faculty have partnered with The Bay Foundation and thousands of volunteers to help restore the ecosystem of the only natural creek on campus. These efforts are currently led by Professor Alison Lipman and the student organization Ecological Restoration Association at UCLA. Serving as a “living laboratory”, this area teaches students how to restore natural habitats by removing invasive species and allowing natives to thrive.
The once mighty Stone Canyon Creek was formerly a dominant feature of the UCLA campus. But over the years, as the campus expanded, the creek was routed underground and now only this small segment runs behind the Anderson School of Management. Volunteers continue to eliminate invasive vegetation, replant the area with native vegetation, and restore the ecosystem. The newly established vegetation removes pollutants from the water and serves as habitat to birds and other wildlife on campus.
On the south of campus, the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden (MEMBG) is a living museum, having special collections designed to assist the undergraduate teaching mission at UCLA and to augment the capability for research on campus. MEMBG serves as a long-term repository for unusual plants, a refugium for biodiversity. This facility offers its educational content to the campus community, residents of Los Angeles, and visitors from around the world to enhance learning about plants and promote greater appreciation for relevance of plants to society.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
Biodiversity in and near campus is assessed and monitored through the iNaturalist app and website: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ucla-campus-biodiversity. Professor Wayne Dollase also created an online database of the more than 550 plant species on the UCLA campus: https://www.botgard.ucla.edu/campus-plants/.
UCLA addresses biodiversity region-wide through the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge (SLA GC). The 2021 SLA GC Ecosystem Health Report Card for Los Angeles County provides an in-depth look at the region’s efforts in moving toward a more resilient environment and community for people and native wildlife: https://sustainablela.ucla.edu/what-we-do/impact/report-cards/ecosystem-health-report-card-los-angeles-county-2021.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
Main UCLA campus, surrounding Los Angeles area and beyond, including Stunt Ranch Reserve.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
In order to ensure the unique beauty of our campus landscape transforms with new environmental realities, we have updated the UCLA Landscape Plan. The plan provides a vision for the campus landscape that can guide the transitions to more native and climate-resilient plants and create a holistic approach as our campus evolves. The plan supports UCLA’s comprehensive Sustainability Plan, in its water, landscape and biodiversity, and planetary health and human health sections.
https://facilities.ucla.edu/news/ucla-landscape-plan-published
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.