Go! Wild this Spring

The Downs in Summer

This Spring we're celebrating biodiversity and encouraging wildlife back into our lives. There are things you can get involved in, on campus and at home. Why not simply get outside, connect with nature and explore our award winning green campuses.

Biodiversity is the living fabric of our planet. It plays a significant role in human health and being outside and immersed in nature has been shown to improve our mental wellbeing. Also. the more connected we feel to nature, the more likley we are to develop pro-environmental behaviours. 

But Earth’s biodiversity is in decline, which threatens both nature and humans alike. The main drivers in the loss of biodiversity are climate change, invasive species, over-exploitation of natural resources, pollution and agriculture.

No Mow May

Plantlife’s No Mow May campaign asks everyone to lock away lawn mowers and leave gardens and parks to bloom and go wild for a month. The less that grass is mown, the more pollinators it will attract.

Following on from previous years success, more space on campus is being left unmown to benefit wildlife. Pathways through will allow visitors to walk through and enjoy the flowering display and buzz of the insects. 

Help us to conduct surveys of the areas to establish the change in levels of flora and fauna before and after the campaign. Get in touch to find out more.

You can also take part at home by changing your mowing habits to benefit wildlife. Leave your own lawn to grow wild then survey it at the end of the month to how many flowers have benefitted from being left alone, and in turn, the number of insects they can support.

Hedgehog Awareness Week (5-11 May)

Over the last 20 years, hedgehog numbers in rural areas have plummeted by 50%, and in urban gardens by 30%. In response, passionate members of the university formed the UoN Hedgehog Friendly Campus Group. They raise awareness of the plight of the hedgehog and taking action across our campuses. 

Hedgehog Awareness Week highlights the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them. ‘Welcome Wildlife!’ by creating a space for wildlife in your own gardens or green spaces and encouraging others to do the same.

6pm, Thursday 9 May: Learn how to track hedgehog activity on campus, at home, or in your local community with a footprint tunnel workshop from the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Group. Meet at the Djalongly Terrace (top of the steps outside the Portland building), UP.

Watch this video by Hannah from the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Group to find out more about about hedgehogs, the threats they face and how we can all help them to thrive. 

Nature Nurturers Challenge on Green Rewards

There are a whole new range of nature activities on the app Green Rewards. Log your wildlife friendly actions to earn points and win prizes. Join us in creating a thriving place for nature and wildlife with the Green Rewards Nature Nurturers Challenge. Earn points with four new challenge activities until 30 June:

1. Learn about the importance of biodiversity. 
2. Be a wildlife warrior by doing something to support wildlife every week.
3. Be part of the people’s nature reserve by leaving a green space to grow untamed. 
4. Snap your wildlife efforts.

Sign up to Green Rewards today and start earning points.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is the county’s largest environmental charity - run by local people for the benefit of local wildlife, with nature reserves across the county. Find out about their events, activities and campaigns including 30 Days Wild - where they are asking the nation to do one 'wild' thing a day every day throughout June.