Kelly Baker

"Our University gardeners are among the happiest people on campus. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and they play a crucial role in maintaining our green spaces."

Bringing fresh air to campus

"You may have notice two living walls on central campus.

The Library team came to me, with an aim to freshen up the outside of the building.

We came up with the idea to introduce a living wall, which will not only beautify the building, but also helps to improve air quality and provide a calming green space for students and staff.

The wall is made of a mixture of Ivy, Fatsia, Heuchera and Euonymus.

Near the lake in Academic Square we have another living wall, which blooms in the autumn."

"Living walls offer numerous benefits:

• Health and wellbeing: Exposure to greenery has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health, contributing to overall wellbeing.
• Environmental benefits: Living walls improve air quality by filtering pollutants and carbon dioxide. They also help regulate building temperatures, reducing the need for air conditioning and heating.
• Biodiversity: These walls provide habitats for various species, promoting urban biodiversity.
• Aesthetic appeal: Green walls enhance the visual appeal of buildings, making urban areas more attractive and pleasant.
• Economic advantages: By improving insulation and reducing energy costs, living walls can lead to significant financial savings over time.

The joy of gardening

Walking around campus, you’ll see the efforts our gardening teams put in to encourage students to get out of their rooms and staff out of their workplaces.

Last year, wildflowers were planted around campus, and we are now learning about the different species and the extra wildlife they attract. Katherine Mayfield, our biodiversity champion, is leading various activities, including litter picking, to enhance our campus’s natural beauty.

These initiatives are just the beginning. As we continue to embrace sustainability and community engagement, we look forward to seeing our campus flourish with greenery and wildlife. Let’s all get involved and make our University a greener, happier place!"

As part of our 60th anniversary celebrations, we are planting 60 different trees on campus. A tree trail map will be available for scanning, allowing everyone to explore and learn about these new additions. Look out for more details in the next few months.