Over two years (May 2024 – May 2026), the collaborative Wilding Campuses project aims to address this by increasing the abundance and diversity of threatened species on and around our campuses. Crucially, it will also empower students, staff and young people across Nottingham to reconnect with nature and tackle the ecological crisis through practical skills sessions, and engagement and wellbeing activities.
Read the news: SOS-UK receives grant for exciting Wilding Campuses pilot
Take part in activities
Everyone is welcome to attend any event and all equipment is provided. See below for all the events that are currently planned. New opportunities are frequently added.
Sign up to the Wilding Campuses mailing list to get opportunities and updates straight to your inbox
Nature walk for University Mental Health Day - Tuesday 11 March
Join us for a nature walk on University Park. We'll explore some of the best spots on campus for connecting with wildlife and we'll record what we see as we go. This will help to inform both our local biodiversity work but also national campaigns to monitor signs of Spring.
Spending time outside in green spaces and connecting with nature is good for our physical and mental health. It can alleviate depression and anxiety, and help with stress and concentration. So come take some time out on our beautiful campus.
We will be using the following platforms to identify and record what we see. If you can, we recommend downloading them to use on the walk:
12pm - 1pm, Meet at the Millennium Garden, University Park
See what other events are happening as part of University Mental Health Day
Have a go at hedge laying - Wednesday 12 March
Hedgerows are a great habitat for wildlife, providing food and shelter and acting as a green corridor, connecting habitats. But in the UK, only 48% of hedgerows are in good condition. Hedge laying is a traditional method to rejuvenate hedgerows. It involves cutting the hedge stems and laying them at an angle to encourage new growth.
Come along to find out more about the importance of hedgerows and get hands on in learning how to hedge lay.
You are welcome anytime you can make between 12-3pm.
The hedgow we are working on is between the Orchard Hotel and the Memorial Woodland on UP here: w3w.co/fines.invest.eating
Hedge laying and tree planting - Wednesday 19 March
Another session to restore and rejuvenate one of our hedgerows, with the addition of tree planting on the Downs.
Hedgerows are a great habitat for wildlife, providing food and shelter and acting as a green corridor, connecting habitats. But in the UK, only 48% of hedgerows are in good condition. Hedge laying is a traditional method to rejuvenate hedgerows. It involves cutting the hedge stems and laying them at an angle to encourage new growth.
Come along to get hands on in learning how to hedge lay and plant trees.
You are welcome anytime you can make between 12-3pm.
The hedgow we are working on is between the Orchard Hotel and the Memorial Woodland on UP here: w3w.co/fines.invest.eating
Tree planting on the Downs - Wednesday 26 March
1pm-3pm, Meet at the top of the Downs opposite Library Road.
Join the Grounds Team as they undertake part of their annual tree planting schedule, this year the focus is on adding more trees to the Downs in the form of new oak trees.
Hedge planting with the Grounds Team - Wednesday 26 March
1pm-3pm, Meet at the bottom of Jubilee Avenue, next to the path to Highfields.
Join the Grounds Team as they carry out some hedge planting, the theme for this hedge will be mixed, using small whips of various species.
Important information
- Grounds can provide PPE essential to the task as needed, including gloves, eye protection and hi-vis vests.
- Volunteers should provide their own footwear and will not be permitted to work with inadequate footwear on tasks where risk of foot injury is possible.
- First Aid kit will be provided on site.
If you plan on attending any events, please read this Risk Assessment.
Help us spread the word
Whilst these events are open to all, we are keen to engage with staff and students may not already have much connection with nature. This includes those from working class backgrounds, people of colour, students studying non-environmental courses, those with caring responsibilities and those with disabilities. Get in touch if you can help reach these groups.
Contact the Sustainability Team
Biodiversity at UoN
The university has some of the greenest campuses in the UK. They support a diverse range of habitats and species and are enjoyed by our staff, students, and the local community. The Wilding Campus project will tie in with work already underway to enhance and protect our beautiful green spaces for the benefit of all. A new biodiversity steering group, made up of staff and students, from across schools and operations, is driving this agenda.
Recent surveys have helped establish campus biodiversity baselines so we can set effective improvement targets. For example, as part of the Wild Campuses project, the university has committed to rewilding 15% of our land.
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. 