| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.07 |
| Liaison | Janna Cohen-Rosenthal |
| Submission Date | July 3, 2023 |
University of Massachusetts Boston
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Dennis
Swinford Director of Campus Planning & Sustainability Office of Campus Planning and 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:
UMass Boston is adjacent to the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. The park is an important ecological habitat for marine and terrestrial wildlife, including 2 threatened species, and 4 of special concern. These species include the birds barn owl, common tern, least tern, and Northern harrier, and the plants sea beach dock and American sea blite.
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:
UMass Boston Columbia Point campus does not contain threatened species, endangered species, or critical habitats.
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:
The Stone Living Lab (SLL) is monitoring the intertidal biodiversity in and around the Boston Harbor. The intertidal zones provide key habitats for many marine creatures and seaweeds and also helps protect our coasts from waves and flooding. These special areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change as sea levels rise, more intense storms impact shorelines, and periods of extreme heat become more frequent.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
Umass Boston completed the ESA eligibility process outlined in the MS4 Permit Appendix C to assess whether any endangered species, threatened species, or critical habitats were present on the Columbia Point campus. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) tool was utilized to generate a list of species that could potentially be impacted by activities on campus.
Participants in the biodiversity program are trained to identify and count a few key species in the intertidal zones.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
UMB completed the ESA eligibility process as part of the Stormwater Management Program. The assessment was conducted using the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) tool, which determines if any endangered species, threatened species, or critical habitats are found on the MS4 areas. The assessment was conducted in 2019. If UMB plans to install structural BMP not previously identified, another endangered species assessment must be conducted.
Researchers and volunteers at UMass Boston and the Stone Living Lab have an ongoing intertidal biodiversity survey program. Data collection occurs across the Boston Harbor, including Savin Hill Cove, which is directly adjacent to the campus. The data is uploaded on the SLL website (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6c5ca38a9bb14894b0aecd8ba0781734)
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
The information gathered by participants of the biodiversity monitoring project will be used by researchers to better understand the intertidal areas of Boston harbor, and develop plans to support these areas as climate change persists.
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.