| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 55.05 |
| Liaison | Nicole Arsenault |
| Submission Date | April 20, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
York University
OP-11: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 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, and/or regions of conservation importance?:
A brief description of any legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance on institution owned or managed land:
The City of Toronto Ravine and Natural Feature Protection By-law, Municipal Code Chapter 658, was amended by the City in May 2008 to include woodlands in addition to ravines. The purpose of the By-law is to promote the mangament, protection and conservation of ravines and associated natural and woodland areas and to prohibit and regulate the injury and destruction of trees, filling, grading and dumping in defined areas. The four woodlots, as well as the Hoover Creek/Black Creek Valleylands are located within the ravine and natural heritage protection area and are thus subject to the requirements of the By-law.
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
The methodology(-ies) used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
The four woodlots on campus have each gone through ecological assessments that included Floristic assessments, habitat quality, ecological stressors and soil sampling. See (http://www.yudc.ca/masterplan/TechnicalReports.html for full details on the woodlot management plans.
As well tree inventory was completed on both campuses
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Emerald Ash Borer was identified at the Keele campus and, as a result, a program was initiated to assess and rate every Ash tree on campus. The inventory, completed in Spring 2013, included a rating of all the trees, and those that can be saved have been earmarked for a multi-year treatment aimed at reversing the devastation posed by the insect infestation.
Migratory birds (Canada Goose) have been identified on campus.
A full list of wildlife and species at risk that have been identified can be found in the woodlots can be found in the woodlot Management Plans found here: http://yudc.ca/masterplan/TechnicalReports.html
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Detailed plans to address the current ecological stressors facing the woodlots can be found in the Technical Reports here: http://yudc.ca/masterplan/TechnicalReports.html
Examples of some of the recommended techniques to improve the habitat:
1. Woody Plant control – To remove unwanted invasive woody vegetation, focusing on common buckthorn, autumn olive, Russian olive, white mulberry, sweet cherry and Tartarian honeysuckle;
2. Herbaceous Invasive Species Control – Herbicide application to remove invasive plant species that outcompete native plants, including common buckthorn, garlic mustard, dog strangling vine, autumn olive and Russian olive;
3. Hydrological Restoration – Involves restoring historical watercourse modifications between Boynton and Danby woodlots; and,
4. Fragmentation – Creating a 50 m wide corridor between Boynton and Danby Woodlots should help reduce the Boynton genetic isolation and provide a better connection to other natural areas.
The website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity policies and programs(s) is available:
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.