Wildlife on campus                  
Andie Aguirre, Staff Reporter

Monterey is known for its picturesque scenery and unique species of flora and fauna and as CSU Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) campus and Fort Ord grows and flourishes, some may wonder what will become of nearby forests, plants and other wildlife.
            For approximately 10 years, the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) has been followed by CSUMB campus planners to ensure the conservation and restoration of 19 special animal and plant species and the natural habitats that they reside in here on the Ord.
            Some of the rare and endangered wildlife species include plants like the Sand Gilla, Contra Costa goldfields and the Monterey spineflower. Animals include the California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog and the Monterey ornate shrew.
            According to the HCP summary document, to ensure that these plants and animals are protected approximately 17,762 acres, which is over 64%, of Fort Ord is required to be preserved. The HCP, which is part of the Base Reuse Plan at the Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA), demands that all parties on the base comply.
            Even though CSUMB’s campus continues to develop every year, expansions are currently only made on areas that are specifically designated for development. And these development areas must not be a habitat for a wildlife species.
“Although it is more expensive and much more difficult to do, we mostly build where there were previous structures in order to protect the natural habitat for those endangered plants and animals,” said Anya Spear, CSUMB’s Campus Planner.
For example, the Tanimura-Antle Library is being built on an area that was formerly gravel, a developmental area that contained no endangered species or habitat.
Also, when the North Quad Suites were first constructed, they were originally intended to be built in another nearby location. But when campus builders found out the endangered Monterey Spineflower was growing in the area of the planned suites, they were required to relocate. “But it is inevitable that we won’t be able to protect everything,” Spear also said.
Eventually, in about ten to twelve years, there are plans to develop on the open space in the east campus housing area, which is habitat for many rare species. This open area is south of Intergarrison Blvd., between central campus and Abrams Blvd., but is not yet part of CSUMB’s campus.
“I do think the campus should grow and will grow in the next 20 years, however I [only support] focusing development on central campus. I am against additional development east of 8th Ave because of all the sensitive species that would almost undoubtedly be impacted,” said Dr. Suzanne Worcester, Associate Professor of the Division of Science and Environmental Policy.
Worcester said that the two most sensitive areas on campus are East Campus housing and the future East Campus open space and has worked with students in mapping out the locations of habitats and species of endangered plants and animals.
While currently endangered species are being protected, as CSUMB’s campus grows only time will tell what will happen to these habitats.