Across the globe nature is in decline as habitats are destroyed and polluted.
Here in the UK for example, since the 1930s, nearly 7.5 million acres of flower-rich meadows and pastures have been lost. In Nottinghamshire, that's a reduction of 97%. This has a cascade effect on all our wildlife, with fewer pollinators and fewer insect-eating birds.
The University of Nottingham has pledged to become a Nature Positive University. This means we are committed to understanding the impacts of the university's activites on nature and setting targets to reverse this.
Across our campuses we are rewilding spaces, restoring habitats and leaving grass to grow longer to create homes and food sources for local wildlife.
To support our biodiversity commitment, we work with student groups, internal specialists and a local consultancy to monitor the flora and fauna of our campuses. This enables us to monitor and manage the biodiversity and also to ensure that we protect species and habitats in line with local, national and international conventions and legislation. You can read more about our monitoring approach in our latest University Park PEA and BIA report, Jubilee PEA and BIA report and Sutton Bonington PEA and BIA report.
Three new wildflower areas have been created in the last two years, on both University Park and on Sutton Bonington, with more to follow. This includes the creation of a wildflower meadow on the current lawn at Lenton Hurst House, and taking part in No Mow May each year.
Read about some of our biodiversity projects
We have a Biodiversity Management Plan for University Park that sets out a 10 year programme for enhancing the biodiversity of the campus.
We've seen significant increases in flora and fauna diversity on University Park, but the benefits are especially evident on Jubilee Campus - a former industrialised area that has been transformed into a green oasis.
Reduced mowing
We have reduced mowing by 25% over the last 10 years. New battery powered mowers are used on Highfields, Riverside & University Park sports grounds This has several advantages:
- Grass is left to grow longer and flower, which increases wildlife habits and sources of food
- Fuel is saved and CO2 emissions are reduced
- Vibrations from machine use is less, benefiting staff health
University honey
The university has beehives at King’s Meadow Campus in Lenton and at Bunny Park – arable farmland south of Nottingham, used for a variety of university research.
The beehives are managed on the university’s behalf by professional bee farmer, Parks Apiaries. Each year in Autumn/Winter university honey goes on sale to staff and students. It can be purchased from:
- Spar shop, The Exchange, Jubilee Campus
- Spar shop, Portland Building, University Park
- Hipps cafe, Medical School
- Costcutter shop, Sutton Bonington
- Portland Clothing Co, Portland Building, University Park
- Trent cafe, Trent Building, University Park
- Coates Café, Coates building, University Park