Monday, 24 February 2025
Students from across schools and colleges in Nottinghamshire, and the University of Nottingham, have taken part in a new project aimed to target the decline in nature in the UK and conservation concerns.
Nottinghamshire has seen a 97% decline in flower-rich meadows and 90% decline in heathland since the 1920’s with several species and habitats of conservation concern.
While many schools, colleges and universities are addressing these threats, the Wilding Campuses pilot is trialling the benefits of a collaborative approach.
Environmental charity Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK) have launched the pilot project to demonstrate how a Nottinghamshire regional student partnership can more effectively help to restore their local natural heritage, working in collaboration with students at the University of Nottingham, Nottingham College and Bluecoat Aspley Academy.
The official launch of the programme took place at the University of Nottingham on Wednesday 12th February, with students from the University of Nottingham, Nottingham College and Bluecoat Aspley Academy in attendance, as well as staff from SOS-UK.
Students from the University of Nottingham, Nottingham College and Bluecoat Aspley Academy planted trees on campus
Students undertook hedge laying in the university’s memorial woodland, hoping to increase habitats for vulnerable species on campus, whilst working with students traditionally excluded from nature. Those involved also planted trees, hoping to encourage an increase in biodiversity on the university campus by creating green corridors to connect habitats whilst increasing foraging and nesting opportunities.
Through this two-year project, the university has committed to rewilding 15 hectares of its land. It is part of the wider work of the university, a founding signatory of the Nature Positive University initiative, to develop a Biodiversity Management Plan setting out a programme for enhancing biodiversity on our UK campuses.
“The Wilding Campus Project provides an excellent opportunity for university staff and students to come together to take part in various nature-based activities right here where they learn, work and live. We are fortunate to already have some of the greenest campuses in the UK and we are excited to be enhancing them for the benefit of both nature and our community.
He continued: "Taking part in activities such as bulb planting, wildflower seeding and foraging walks is a fun way for staff and students to explore and engage with our beautiful campuses, the nature that lives there, and each other.
“We are hoping that through this project, our students and staff will develop a greater connection with nature that will in turn lead to further nature friendly behaviours both on and off campus.”
Jo Wilkinson, Senior Project Manager for Biodiversity at SOS-UK said of the project:
“The UK is one of the least biodiverse countries in the world and we think campuses like those of the University of Nottingham have loads of opportunity to replenish nature. The overall goal of the programme is to use campuses where students learn and spend a lot of their time to help recover the nature that’s been lost.”
“Our research tells us that while 88% of students feel they can have fun and enjoy themselves in nature, and 64% of respondents think their university/college should provide opportunities for students to experience nature, almost 20% of students don't have a way to get to places where they can enjoy nature near them. This programme helps address this challenge, bringing nature directly to the students in the places they learn and they’ll be the ones driving the change. The multi-age approach also means the students can learn from each other.”
Wilding Campuses is a regional partnership project to restore local natural heritage, led by SOS-UK and made possible with the Heritage Fund and thanks to National Lottery players.
Story credits
More information is available from Faith Pring, Media Relations Manager, on faith.pring@nottingham.ac.uk
Faith Pring - Media Relations Manager
Email: faith.pring@nottingham.ac.uk
Phone: 0115 748 4411
Location: University of Nottingham, University Park
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 24 in Europe and 15th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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