Background
The University of Waterloo Sustainability Office, in consultation with Grounds Services and other stakeholders, is developing a Sustainable Landcare Standard. Included in the standard is a commitment to “develop protocols for managing endangered species” (Action 3E). Endangered and threatened species can play important roles in our ecosystems and often require human interventions if they are to survive and build up their populations. These species can be plants, or animals living on land or in the water. While provincial guidelines are available for managing Species at Risk (SAR), the University of Waterloo is looking to develop escalation protocols that go beyond the basic requirements. A healthy, biodiverse and sustainable ecosystem is the goal.
This work supports the UW Sustainability StrategyObjective 09: by 2025, all University grounds will be maintained according to sustainable landscaping standards, and plans developed for remediation and preservation of specific natural areas of concern. This work also relates to UN Sustainable Development Goal 15.
Scope of Work Could Include
- Creating a list of species that are endangered or threatened in our ecological zone
- Identifying endangered or threatened species on campus either through observations or historical records (e.g. INaturalist or campus species inventory process)
- Research existing regulations and recovery strategies for protecting these Species at Risk (SAR), including summaries of which species on campus may be covered by various legislation
- Research best practices for further interventions beyond those found in SAR. These might follow an escalation process with stronger interventions used as a last resort
- Develop protocols for monitoring the impact of interventions
- Identify opportunities for students or the community to be engaged in protecting these species
- Make any further recommendations for how to protect endangered or threatened species
Resources
- Please contact the Sustainability Office for a copy of the draft Sustainable Landscape Standard
- Species at Risk in Ontario database
- Management plansfor specific Species at Risk
- Other guides and best practices documents for specific at-risk species
- Ontario Species at Risk Stewardship Program
- Government of Canada – Community-nominated priority places for species at risk: proposal guide (includes guidance for determining how to select priority areas)
Stakeholders
- Sustainability Office
- Plant Operations
- Ecology Lab
Proposed Deliverables
The details of the deliverables are flexible but must meet the requirements set out by the course instructor. Some proposed deliverables include:
- A work plan early in the term outlining key milestones and responsibilities.
- Updates on progress at least once during the term.
- A final report with research and recommendations for managing endangered species.
- A final meeting to review the outcomes of the report and answer questions.