University of Oregon
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Sarah
Stoeckl Assistant Director Office of 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:
UO Oregon’s Agate Hall is an ecologically significant migratory stopover for tens of thousands of Vaux’s Swifts during the spring and fall months. During the fall migration, an estimated 45,000 birds were counted entering the chimney.
The Willamette River is adjacent to the UO campus and is an important migratory corridor for Coho and threatened Spring Chinook salmon. Within the City of Eugene Goal 5 Water Resource Conservation Plan it is identified as a riparian corridor designated for protection. Approximately 24 acres of university land is designated as the Willamette River Natural Area within the Campus Plan.
Within the UO campus the Millrace Natural Area is designated in the Campus Plan as an open space recognizing the habitat and stormwater values. Within the City of Eugene Goal 5 Water Resource Conservation Plan the Millrace is identified as a wetland designated for protection and riparian corridor designated for protection.
Regarding the satellite locations: OIMB manages the Metcalf Marsh, an important location for estuary research. It is part of the land-margin ecosystems that occur at the interface between steep or deltaic riverine valleys and the near shore marine waters of the Pacific Ocean and serves as a buffer between shore lands and estuarine waters, preventing or minimizing erosion, flooding and pollution.
The South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (http://www.oregon.gov/DSL/SSNERR/Pages/index.aspx) was established near OIMB in 1974 as a 5,000 acre natural area that is dedicated to scientific research, long-term monitoring, and public education about estuaries and coastal watershed habitats. Faculty members and students from OIMB played an instrumental role in the nomination and designation of SSNERR as the founding member of the national system of Reserves. The OIMB library houses baseline data used to establish the South Slough as the first National Estuarine Research Reserve, student research reports dating back to 1967, and biological inventories of local areas. This reserve site provides critical habitat for ecologically and commercially important species of fish, shellfish, birds, and other aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Moreover, each Reserve has been designated to function as a distinct conservation unit including the preservation of core tideland communities surrounded by adjacent buffer zones, and they are afforded sufficient protection to ensure their integrity as sites for long-term monitoring and research.
Offshore, a narrow continental shelf provides easy access to coastal waters that are characterized by a strong upwelling system with its associated nutrient-rich waters. The surrounding coastal forests include an 80-acre reserve within OIMB and a 5,000-acre reserve within the SSNERR. Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western red cedar and western hemlock, with an understory of salal and various huckleberry species, dominates the coniferous forest. Very little old growth remains in Coos County, but the OIMB reserve has trees more than 70 years old, making it one of the oldest timber stands in the county. OIMB recognizes its role as a national resource and serves as repository for data relating to the Coos Bay estuary system and surrounding coastal region. It is a deep-draft development estuary and important commercial harbor.
The Shire has conservation and preservation issues associated with the Columbia River Gorge, the Pacific Northwest region, and the nation as a national scenic area. It is a 75-acre waterfront site in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge directly across from Multnomah Falls. Architect John Yeon purchased the property in 1965 and played a leading role in the establishment of the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area and Olympic National Park. With involvement with the Cowlitz tribe, it is also being restored for salmon as an important oxbow tributary to the Columbia River.
Pine Mountain Observatory is a high-desert astronomical observatory in Central/Eastern Oregon, part of the seismic network operation for USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
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:
There are no species specifically endangered or especially at risk of extinction with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution. There are only species of equally least concern on UO properties.
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 Spring Chinook Salmon in the Upper Willamette River have led to fish and water quality monitoring requirements through the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. OIMB has a forest reserve and the Shire is within the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area.
UO’s Campus Plan emphasizes stewardship of natural areas designated on campus. The Campus Plan outlines a commitment to “preserving and restoring natural habitat and promoting ecological functions while providing opportunities to learn about and engage with natural systems.”
The Willamette River Natural Area (WRNA) is an outdoor laboratory where a variety of research and service projects allow UO students and faculty to engage with natural systems. Many disciplines work in this area including Biology, Ecology, Environmental Studies, Earth Sciences, Landscape Architecture, and others.
Within the WRNA, students and faculty have undertaken projects to preserve and restore plant species, enhance wildlife habitats, and study landscapes. Learning opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines are ongoing at this remarkable designated open space. Further info at: https://cpfm.uoregon.edu/willamette-river-natural-area
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
UO Eugene: The Institute for the Sustainable Environment collaborates on multi-university research projects including Willamette River 2100. It primarily focuses on the availability and use of water in the Willamette River Basin on both a decadal and centennial timescale as it is affected by climate change. This is a five-year project started in 2010, in collaboration with Oregon State University, the University of Oregon and Portland State University. The National Science Foundation funds it.
The UO Eugene is along the banks of the Willamette River and has a portion of campus that is a “locally significant wetland site” within the Eugene Urban Growth Boundary. The Riverfront Research Park project is a cooperative effort of the University of Oregon (UO) and private developers to build a university-related research park on a state-owned site adjacent to the university campus on the south bank of the Willamette River.
The Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area Public Facilities and Services Plan (specifically the section on Services to Development Within the Urban Growth Boundary: Storm water) identifies that City of Eugene falls under the Clean Water Act requirement to assess the quality of their surface waters every three years and to list those waters that do not meet adopted water quality standards. The Willamette River and other water bodies have been listed as not meeting the standards for temperature and bacteria. This requires the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for these pollutants, and an allocation to point and non-point sources and the need to collect data. The listing of the Spring Chinook Salmon as a threatened species in the Upper Willamette River requires City of Eugene to comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) provisions to regulate salmon habitat in the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. This species is one of the most genetically distinct groups of Chinook in the Columbia River Basin. The decline in the Chinook Salmon has been attributed to such factors as destruction of habitat through channelization and revetment of river banks, non-point source pollution, alterations of natural hydrograph by increased impervious surfaces in the basin, and degradation of natural functions of riparian lands due to removal or alteration of indigenous vegetation. www.lcog.org/DocumentCenter/View/141
Regarding other satellite locations: OIMB participates in ongoing research and serves as a database. They adhere to county guidelines as a protected forest reserve. The Shire works with the Cowlitz Tribe, The US Army Corps of Engineers and the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area to protect and preserve their position along the Columbia River as being ecologically, culturally and historically significant.
There are not endangered or vulnerable species on UO owned or operated properties. There is no monitoring because of this.
For the WRNA, beginning in December 2021, the landscape management plan was formulated under the guidance of the UO Campus Planning and Facilities Management staff team. The following parties contributed:
-Jeff Krueger of JK Environments (Landscape Architect and project consultant)
-A ten-person Habitat Advisory Team (HAT) made up of UO staff, faculty, and a student representative, as well as local environmental experts
-Other individuals with topic-specific expertise and site knowledge
The HAT participated in a series of facilitated site visits throughout the planning process. Its members provided input on draft versions of the Landscape Management Plan (LMP) throughout its development.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
The Willamette River Natural Area Landscape Management Plan seeks to:
-Document historical and existing site conditions.
-Evaluate issues and opportunities related to site management.
-Describe a vision for desired future conditions.
-Provide direction for short- and long-term management within this defined area.
Subsequent recommendations will be directed toward improving the site’s habitat values and ecological function while accommodating compatible recreational and educational uses over a twenty-year period.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
The UO Eugene location has worked closely with the City of Eugene on storm water, campus construction, and landscape management to positively affect water quality, in part to adhere to strict guidelines and ordinances, which include the protection of the threatened Spring Chinook Salmon. In addition, all new construction is required to be LEED gold certified. The ranking systems often include points earned for energy efficiency, water treatment and conservation, as well as sustainable landscape management.
Specific to the Willamette River Natural Area, a designation in the UO’s Campus Plan, a landscape management plan has been developed to provide guidance to adaptively manage this part of campus to achieve a desired future condition that increases biodiversity, habitat, and ecological functions.
See Principle 2, Open Space Framework: https://cpfm.uoregon.edu/campus-plan
: Protect wetlands, wildlife habitats, and watersheds to the greatest extent possible."
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:
http://uplan.uoregon.edu/plandoc/CampusPlan/CampusPlan3/Policy10_CampusPlan3rdEdition2014.pdf
UO Eugene is under City of Eugene Water Resource Conservation plan https://www.eugene-or.gov/808/Goal-5-Water-Resource-Conservation
https://www.eugene-or.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2704
"Increasing the wildlife habitat value by increasing the supply and diversity of natural food sources throughout the year, increasing the diversity and duration of water features throughout the year or increasing the diversity in size and structure of plants."
See Campus Plan Principle 2, Open Space Framework: https://cpfm.uoregon.edu/campus-plan
: "Protect wetlands, wildlife habitats, and
watersheds to the greatest extent possible."
Information provided by Aaron Olsen, campus landscape architect for Campus Planning.
http://uplan.uoregon.edu/plandoc/CampusPlan/CampusPlan3/Policy10_CampusPlan3rdEdition2014.pdf
UO Eugene is under City of Eugene Water Resource Conservation plan https://www.eugene-or.gov/808/Goal-5-Water-Resource-Conservation
https://www.eugene-or.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2704
"Increasing the wildlife habitat value by increasing the supply and diversity of natural food sources throughout the year, increasing the diversity and duration of water features throughout the year or increasing the diversity in size and structure of plants."
See Campus Plan Principle 2, Open Space Framework: https://cpfm.uoregon.edu/campus-plan
: "Protect wetlands, wildlife habitats, and
watersheds to the greatest extent possible."
Information provided by Aaron Olsen, campus landscape architect for Campus Planning.
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.