Practical Projects
The Pollinator buzz
With the highly publicised decline in the national bee population, Newcastle University is taking action to provide habitat for pollinating insects in the local area. We have a number of bee hives across our estate and there are many more in the surrounding area. In order to provide sources of nectar and pollen as well as suitable nesting habitat for these bees and other pollinating insects, we have planted up a number of unused areas of our estate as 'pollinator gardens'. These gardens contain plants and flowers chosen by our University experts as rich in nectar resources and highly suitable for pollinating insects; we have a range of flowers with differing petal shapes (attracting a range of insects) and a succession of opening times so insects have a nectar resource throughout the year. Please click here to access a plant list of species used in our Robinson Library polliantor garden.
Maintaining the educational ethos which runs through our biodiversity initiative, Chillingham Road Primary School were invited to Cochrane Park to plant up one of our pollinator gardens. Although the weather was not great, the Year 2 children donned their wellies and waterproofs and helped us plant this garden which directly surrounds one of our bee hives.
It is hoped that these gardens will be buzzing with life this summer and in the years to come!
Longbenton Sports Ground
The University's sports ground at Longbenton has various areas which are currently unused. One such area, the pitchside bank, has been turned into a wildflower meadow with the help of the University's Conservation Society. This biodiversity enhancement work has encouragde a diversity of flora to grow and provided a variety of habitats for local wildlife.
Henderson Hall Allotment
When an area of University owned land at Henderson Hall was identified as unused, the University decided to turn it into an allotment in partnership with local charity EastEnd Health. A University grant was awarded to the partnership to create and run the allotment. EastEnd Health use the allotment to teach school children about growing plants and nutrition. University staff and students often help out the charity with the running of the allotment and teaching the school groups.
Would you like to learn about food growing? or learn new skills whilst helping out your community as an allotment volunteer or a North East Food Discovery volunteer? You can also come along and pick your own from our allotment shop!
See a map showing the location of the allotment here.
For more information, please contact Anna at EastEnd Health on 0191 276 0595 or email anna@eastendhealth.org.uk