2016 Sustainability Policies and Specific Guidelines: Policies and Guidelines on Green Spaces, Biodiversity and Mobility

Policy on Green Spaces, Biodiversity and Mobility

The University is dedicated to maintaining a high degree of greenery and appropriate

land use, guided by the Campus Master Plan. The University encourages walking and

the use of sustainable modes of transportation and recognizes the need to balance

the demands of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

Guidelines on Green Spaces, Biodiversity, and Mobility

1. To preserve and protect the University’s green spaces, a Campus Grounds Advisory Committee will review and recommend action to the President regarding any proposal that may affect the Campus Master Plan.

The Committee shall be composed of:

• The Vice President for Administration or appointed representative, ex-officio

• Director of Central Facilities Management Office (CFMO)

• Director of Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS)

• Representative, Department of Biology

• Representative, Department of Environmental Science

• Head of the Basic Education Facilities Management and Security Office (FMSO)

• Head of the Loyola Schools FMSO

• Head of the Professional Schools FMSO

2. The University follows a system for planting, maintaining, and removing trees.

• When possible, endemic species are protected and propagated, taking into consideration the safety of the community:

• • 1. Proper tree species are planted in the proper location, e.g., avoid mahogany in pedestrian and parking areas.

    2. Tree species are chosen to complement the existing wildlife.

    3. Trees can only be planted or removed with the approval of the CFMO Director, upon consultation with the Campus Grounds Advisory Committee.

• The CFMO, in collaboration with AIS, and the Departments of Biology and Environmental Science, shall create and maintain a Campus Tree Inventory, with regular updates to cover the addition/removal of trees, updating of tree locations.

• Tree donations, preferably of endemic species, are processed in consultation with Office of the Vice President for Administration (OVPA), CFMO, AIS, and tree experts, to preserve the balance between biodiversity and the Campus Master Plan.

• • • Donors should take into consideration the required space per tree, relation to the existing flora and fauna, as well as the maintenance of trees until it reaches a stage when it can survive on its own.

• Trimming/pruning of trees is done in anticipation of monsoon rains and tropical storms.

• Should trees be downed by extreme weather, every effort is taken to restore the tree, when possible.

• Trees on campus may not be used in any way that may negatively impact their health and growth, for example, nailing of signs, hanging of art work and banner announcements, or installing permanent electrical fixtures. Christmas lights and the like may be installed as long as they are not nailed into the tree or kept open overnight.

• Should the University need to remove particular trees, especially endemic species, balling is preferred overcutting.

3. The University promotes programs to study and appreciate biodiversity.

• University activities and operations (e.g., construction, traffic flow, assembly sites) minimize their impact on the existing urban wildlife sanctuaries on campus.

• The University supports research on urban biodiversity on campus.

4. The University follows protocols for dealing with stray animals

• The University makes the effort to work with animal welfare groups to come up with the best solutions for stray animals, while balancing the health and safety concerns of its students and personnel.

• For stray cats, the University considers the following, upon the suggestion of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):

• • 1. Trap-neuter-return (TNR) strategy

    2. Managing the “holding capacity”, i.e., managing the feeding time to be done once a day for a maximum of 15 minutes, away from a public site and with minimal people are around. No additional food is added to available leftovers.

    3. The community should be informed and educated about the strategies, including the “no-taming” policy of stray cats.

• For other stray animals, the University coordinates with appropriate agencies to provide the animals with a proper habitat.

5. The University takes a strategic approach to balance the demands of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

• The University undertakes consultation with stakeholders to get various perspectives.

• The University promotes walking through the construction of walkways, and the use of sustainable modes of transportation such as the use of vehicles that do not directly use fossil fuel (bicycle, e-vehicle), ridesharing, and other innovations in mobility

Related links:

• Ateneo Sustainability Guidelines

• Ateneo Sustainability Report 2020