Yes, Penn State does include local biodiversity into any planning and development process. For example:

  • During the construction of new buildings, the LEED V4 policy is the guiding document for planning and development related to protecting and restoring natural habitat, as well as conducting environmental assessments. It requires preservation and protection from all development and construction activity in any Greenfield areas on the site and that native and adapted species only will be used. 
  • The Campus Master Plan map designates Environmental Resource areas/Environmentally Sensitive Areas/Protected Areas to recognize the importance of maintaining the quality of both potable and surface waters and the need to protect local ecological communities. Approximately 860 acres of land are in this land use category.  

Examples of how Penn State acts to include local biodiversity into planning and development include:

  • The Penn State STARS biodiversity report describes efforts in promoting and conserving biodiversity on university property. These include Millbrook Marsh is a 62-acre protected area owned by Penn State and operated by the Centre Region Recreation Authority, which the World Database on Protected Areas includes in IUCN management category III, Natural Monument or Feature and is in IUCN management category V, Protected Landscape/ Seascape for the marsh and the fen areas. 
  • Millbrook Marsh is a 62-acre protected area owned by Penn State and operated by the Centre Region Recreation Authority, which the World Database on Protected Areas includes in IUCN management category III, Natural Monument or Feature and is in IUCN management category V, Protected Landscape/ Seascape for the marsh and the fen areas. 
  • Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center and adjacent Stone Valley Recreation Area which preserve natural forested habitat.  
  • Musser Gap to Valleylands is a 355-acre parcel designed to provide ecosystem restoration. 
  • The Water Reclamation Facility renewal project included restoration of an area of forested riparian buffer along the Thompson Spring/Headwaters of Thompson Run. This project involved the suppression/elimination of invasive species from approximately 1.2 acres of land, leaving only native trees; installation of a deer fence; planting of several various size native species trees; and ground cover restoration.