03. Outdoor Space - Support Biodiversity

Establish biodiversity practices

Rationale: Implementing and publicizing measures to preserve local ecosystems prevents biodiversity loss, which supports exposure to diverse microbiota which strengthens the human immune system; these measures also improve surrounding air quality, contributing to a decreased risk of chronic respiratory conditions. 

For the most accurate strategy and documentation requirements, please refer to the digital scorecard made available on the Fitwel Platform.

Requirements

Demonstrate compliance with one of the options below:

Option 1 - Two Biodiversity Practices (Full Credit):

To achieve full credit, demonstrate compliance with all of the following requirements:

Muti-Tenant Retail, Retail

1. Ensure biodiversity practices include a minimum of two of the following qualifying practices:

•  
  •  
    • utilize and preserve native plants within landscaping and outdoor spaces
    • establish a long-term management plan to remove invasive non-native plants without harming native non-target species
    • replace greenery lost during construction or renovation
    • retain and enhance existing natural features
    • manage stormwater runoff to prevent pollution from causing detrimental environmental effects such as toxic algal blooms, harming aquatic life, and degradation of air and water quality
    • provide wildlife housing, such as bee blocks, bird feeders, insect hotels, or bat boxes.

2. Implement the qualifying biodiversity practices within the building site.

3. Provide educational information, upon request, to all occupants on a minimum of two of the following:

   - information about native plant and wildlife species

   - the health benefits of biodiversity conservation

   - examples of biodiversity conservation practices

   - the biodiversity conservation practices that are implemented.

4. Share educational information upon request through one of the following:

   - a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas

   - signage located in a minimum of one outdoor space

   - annual communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters.

Option 2 - One Biodiversity Practice (Partial Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all the following requirements:

Multi-Tenant Retail, Retail

1. Ensure biodiversity practices include a minimum of one of the following qualifying practices:

•  
  •  
    • utilize and preserve native plants within landscaping and outdoor spaces
    • establish a long-term management plan to remove invasive non-native plants without harming native species
    • replace greenery lost during construction or renovation
    • retain and enhance existing natural features
    • manage stormwater runoff to prevent pollution from destroying wildlife
    • provide wildlife housing, such as bee blocks, bird feeders, insect hotels, or bat boxes.

2. Implement the qualifying biodiversity practice within the building site.

1. Provide educational information, upon request, to all occupants on a minimum of two of the following:
   – information about native plant and wildlife species
   – the health benefits of biodiversity conservation
   – examples of biodiversity conservation practices
   – the biodiversity conservation practices that are implemented.

4. Share educational information upon request through one of the following:
    – a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
    – signage located in a minimum of one outdoor space
    – annual communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters.

Compliance Documentation

Design Pathway

Option 1:

MTR, RT

Requirement 1

•  
  • Upload annotated design drawings and descriptions detailing each unique qualifying biodiversity practice that will be implemented.
  • Checkbox to certify that a minimum of two of the listed biodiversity practices will be implemented

Requirement 2

•  
  • Upload an annotated site plan or design drawing showing the location of each qualifying biodiversity practice within the building site.

Requirement 3

•  
  • Upload one of the following:
    • a copy of the educational materials that will be shared upon request with all occupants identifying the required information about biodiversity practices implemented on-site that will be included.
    • an official statement confirming that educational materials about biodiversity practices implemented on-site will be made available to and shared with all occupants upon request.

Requirement 4

•  
  • Checkbox to certify that biodiversity educational information will be shared upon request through the following methods (select all that apply):                
    • a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
    • signage located in a minimum of one outdoor space
    • annual communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters.

Option 2: 

MTR, RT

Requirement 1

• Upload an annotated site plan or design drawing detailing the qualifying biodiversity practice that will be implemented
• Checkbox to certify that a minimum of one of the listed biodiversity practices will be implemented

Requirement 2

• Upload an annotated site plan or design drawing showing the location of each qualifying biodiversity practice within the building site

Requirement 3

• Upload one of the following:
  • a copy of the educational materials that will be shared upon request with all occupants identifying the required information about biodiversity practices implemented on-site that will be included.
  • an official statement confirming that educational materials about biodiversity practices implemented on-site will be made available to and shared with all occupants upon request.

Requirement 4

• Checkbox to certify that biodiversity educational information will be shared upon request through the following methods (select all that apply):                      
  • a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas  
  • signage located in a minimum of one outdoor space  
  • annual communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters.   

Built Pathway 

Option 1: 

MTR, RT

Requirement 1

•  
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) and descriptions detailing each unique qualifying biodiversity practice that is implemented.
  • Checkbox to certify that a minimum of two of the listed biodiversity practices are implemented

Requirement 2

•  
  • Upload an annotated site plan showing the location of each qualifying biodiversity practice within the building site

Requirement 3

•  
  • Upload one of the following:
    • a copy of the educational materials that are shared upon request with all occupants identifying the required information about biodiversity practices implemented on-site.
    • an official statement confirming that educational materials about biodiversity practices implemented on-site are made available to and shared with all occupants upon request.

Requirement 4

•  
  • Checkbox to certify that biodiversity educational information is shared upon request through the following methods (select all that apply):                      
    • a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas  
    • signage located in a minimum of one outdoor space  
    • annual communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters.   

Option 2: 

MTR, RT

Requirement 1

•  
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) detailing the qualifying biodiversity practice that is implemented
  • Checkbox to certify that a minimum of one of the listed biodiversity practices are implemented 

Requirement 2

•  
  • Upload an annotated site plan showing the location of each qualifying biodiversity practice within the building site

Requirement 3

•  
  • Upload one of the following:
    • a copy of the educational materials that are shared upon request with all occupants identifying the required information about biodiversity practices implemented on-site.
    • an official statement confirming that educational materials about biodiversity practices implemented on-site are made available to and shared with all occupants upon request.

Requirement 4

•  
  • Checkbox to certify that biodiversity educational information is shared upon request through the following methods (select all that apply):                      
    • a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas 
    • signage located in a minimum of one outdoor space 
    • annual communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters.