With funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this Nottingham-based pilot focuses on restoring nature into spaces where staff and students work and learn. It is a partnership between the University of Nottingham, Nottingham College and Bluecoat Aspley Academy.
Biodiversity and healthy ecosystems are crucial for the survival of all life on earth. But nature is under threat, not least in the UK where we are one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. And consequently, we are also increasingly disconnected from nature.
Forest bathing, a Wobble Week event - Tuesday 28 October
Come to the woods to enjoy a mindful moment. Listen to the birds and perhaps find a tree to hug - it's proven to make you happier, honest!
When you hug a tree your body makes happy hormones, just like when you hug a human. These hormones can boost your mood and ease anxiety. Trees also release phytoncides to protect themselves from pests and diseases. These chemicals can help people by improving our immune systems and reducing stress.
Tree hugging is also a way of working out how old a tree is. And we have some old trees on University Park. Come and meet some of them!
If you want to know what birds you can hear, we suggest downloading the wonderful Merlin bird app.
12.30 - 1pm The Memorial Woodland, University Park
The specific location can be found on www.what3words.com by searching the words ///edit.reds.mouse
Hedgehog Friendly Campus litterpick - Wednesday 5 November
Come and help UoN compete in the Big Hog Friendly Litter Pick Challenge and see how much litter we can collect. Hedgehogs are covered in thousands of spines, making them vulnerable to becoming trapped in litter. By joining us on a litter pick, you will help protect hedgehogs and other local wildlife from becoming injured. This is especially important as they are looking for places to hibernate.
1.15pm - 3.30pm, meet at Djagonly Terrace at the Portland Building. The specific location can be found on www.what3words.com by searching the words ///stared.crate.sleep.
Orchard tree planting at Riverside - Wednesday 26 November
As part of National Tree Week, come and help us create an orchard at Riverside Sports Complex. Help the grounds team plant various varieties of fruit trees that can then be foraged by both humans and wildlife alike. This is part of our ongoing work to create and connect biodiverse habitats next to our sports pitches alongside the River Trent.
Free transport from University Park and Jubilee!
Free food to say thank you!
Register here
1.30pm - 3.30pm, meet at Pavilion A at Riverside Sports Complex. The specific location can be found on www.what3words.com by searching the words ///rear.flows.relay.
Festive foraged wreath making on University Park - Monday 8 December
Get in the Christmas spirit by learning how to forage to create a sustainable wreath. Partnered with ResX's craft night, we'll collect evergreen clippings from campus, before heading inside to weave our wreaths. This is a perfect opportunity to spruce up your house, without the waste!
3-4pm - Foraging for material on University Park, meet outside Ancaster Hall
From 6.30pm - Wreath making in Ancaster Hall
The specific location can be found on www.what3words.com by searching the words ///punch.bound.take.
Register your interest
Environmental Film Night, following COP30 - Wednesday 10 December
Come and enjoy a screening of 'The Territory', National Geographic’s award-winning 2022 documentary. The film follows the Uru-eu-wau-wau Indigenous community in the Brazilian Amazon as they defend their land from illegal deforestation. This is particularly timely, given that Brazil's President Lula emphasised the importance of giving Indigenous peoples a global platform and highlighting both their challenges and their achievements in COP30.
Free pizza will be available too!
6pm - 8pm, University Park
Location: Hallward Library Screening Room
Register your place
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.