The Edible Campus Project
A vision for the future
The Edible Campus Project was set up in Autumn 2023 with the aim of connecting our community by building relationships with food and nature.
The project is working to connect and support existing growing initiatives on our University Park and Jubilee Campuses, and aims to create more spaces where staff, students, and members of the wider local community can learn about growing fruit, vegetables and herbs.
Passionate about access to good food for all, Edible Campus promotes healthy, sustainable food on campus and hope to run and support initiatives such as communal meals and cooking workshops.
Working in partnership
The project was set up by Anne Touboulic, an Associate Professor in the Business School, along with Head of Sustainability Gavin Scott and Jenny Elliott, an Associate Professor in the School of Education. An advisory group, made up of staff and students from across the university and members of local community organisations, has developed an inspiring roadmap which sets out a vision for how our "edible campuses" could look in the future. Other partners involved include the Food Systems Institute.
Foraging maps of our campuses
Our beautiful campuses are already home to many edible plants and trees. To encourage our communities to connect with nature and make use of the edible species which can already be found, we have produced foraging maps of our University Park and Jubilee campuses. Two versions of each map are available below - one screen-friendly version to view digitally, and another which can be downloaded and printed. They give a detailed list of the edible species which can be found in specific areas of both campuses, along with tips on how to use them. Please read the information below before using them, and also refer to the more detailed infomation and guide to "How to Forage Safely" on page 2 and 3 of the maps.
University Park Foraging Map printable (PDF)
University Park Foraging Map digital (PDF)
Jubilee Campus Foraging Map printable (PDF)
Jubliee Campus Foraging Map digital (PDF)
Important - disclaimer
Foraging and eating wild food is a potentially dangerous activity. It should only be carried out by those with the knowledge and experience to identify species correctly. Incorrect identification of plants or fungi could cause illness, death or serious injury.
The information on this site is correct to the best of the University’s knowledge. However, errors and omissions cannot be ruled-out. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of individuals to ensure the safety of anything they choose to eat.
The University is unable to guarantee that any specific plant foraged on campus is safe for consumption. The use of this guide and accompanying maps is for general information only. You forage entirely at your own risk.
Many wild plants and mushrooms in the UK are deadly poisonous and easy to misidentify. When foraging for wild food, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have accurately identified any plant or mushroom before consuming it. If you have any doubts about the identification of any plant or mushroom, or the circumstances in which it was picked which mean that the item could be contaminated in some other way, DO NOT EAT IT. Leave it where it is or dispose of it if already foraged.
It is your sole responsibility to ensure that any item foraged is safe to consume prior to eating it. Participation in foraging and consuming any wild plants or mushrooms in the areas indicated on the attached maps on the University’s campus and elsewhere is therefore entirely at your own risk and the University will not be liable for any damage or loss caused to you, including injury, illness or death caused by eating wild plants or mushrooms after viewing this site.
Students find out more about the edible plants on our campuses during a foraging walk of Jubilee Campus with local grower and forage Paul Paine.
Join the Edible Campus journey