Achieving Biodiversity and Ecology Net Gain is one of the five pathways in the University’s Way to Sustainable Strategy. The Ecology and Biodiversity Plan provides a framework and methodology for protecting, creating and enhancing habitats and species within the campus and beyond. The Grounds Team play a key role in the implementation of the Plan and during the autumn and winter months planted more than 1,000 tree and hedgerow plants and layed old hedges to support wildlife. Their focus has now turned to the various grassland habitats as grasses grow with the warming weather.

For the third year running the Grounds Team will be taking part in Plantlife’s No Mow May initiativLink opens in a new windoweLink opens in a new window and leaving areas of grassland to grow. These areas will be allowed to grow throughout the summer months and will only be cut at the end of the season, which will allow seeds to set and species diversity to flourish in the future; this will in turn help butterflies, moths, bees and other wildlife. The main areas to be left unmown will be around the residences, lakesides and woodland areas with a strip being mown along the edge so people can see that the area is being managed.

In addition to the No Mow areas, the Team are also sowing more wildflower meadows to complement the large area that was sown by Windmill Hill last summer with some flowers already on show. Wildflower areas are being sown at Gibbet Hill, Sherbourne, Arthur Vick and Westwood.

As many of the daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs are fading, why not take a break from studies and work to explore campus on the lookout for wildflowers and pollinating insects. To fiind out more about biodiversity on campus contact Katherine Mayfield, Sustainability Champion.

Did you know that since the 1930’s, the UK has lost more than 7 million acres of flower-rich meadows and pastures and that now only 1% of our countryside provides a floral feast for pollinators? Against this loss, with 15 million gardens in Britain, our lawns have the potential to become major sources of nectar? If you’re interested in playing your part, leave your lawn to wildlife this May!