Introduction

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiverse ecosystems across the globe provide critical natural services for activities including agriculture, healthcare, and recreation while also offering intangible, yet vast, cultural value.

Despite biological diversity’s incredible importance, however, nature is in the midst of a global crisis and thousands of species are now vulnerable to extinction within decades.

What the University is doing

As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, we are dedicated to preserving and enhancing biodiversity. To do this, we in the Sustainability Team collaborate with a wide range of colleagues, including the Grounds Team, Planning Team, senior management, and the Student Environment and Sustainability Committee, to support biodiversity across campus both now and as part of future projects.

Nature Positive Pledge

Newcastle University made a Nature Positive Pledge in December 2022.

To be a Nature Positive institution, the University is required to restore the species and ecosystems that have been harmed by the impacts of our university and its activities, while also improving the University's positive impact on nature.

There are 4 main steps for achieving this:

1. Assessing our baseline of biodiversity impact,
2. Setting SMART targets to move towards being Nature Positive,
3. Acting and influencing for nature using the 4Rs - Refrain, Reduce, Restore and Renew,
4. Reporting annually on our progress.

What practical steps is the University taking to be Nature Positive?

We are working towards establishing our baseline biodiversity impacts across university activity. This includes exploring the potential to enhance biodiversity on the University estate. 

Recent measures on our campus have included increasing the amount of wildflower planting to encourage an increase of pollinators, working to support our urban dwelling hedgehogs, and providing homes for urban bats in our bat boxes and barns.

Flora

Tree management

Trees are complex organisms that are fundamental to many ecosystems globally and they provide a wide array of benefits. They provide important habitats for a variety of species including birds and bats.

Trees require monitoring and management to ensure that their natural processes of growing and shedding do not pose as a risk to people or property.

We have a wide variety of trees planted on campus, below are some examples:

• Crab Apple
• Rowan
• Silver Birch
• Alder
• Wild Cherry
• Yew

Fauna

Hedgehog Safe Campus

Why do we need to protect hedgehogs? Sadly, hedgehogs were recently listed as a species ‘vulnerable to extinction’ on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List for British Mammals. Some of the contributing factors to this are:

• Increased volume in traffic and collisions with hedgehogs,
• Habitat loss (e.g. mown lawns, reduced number of hedges and verges),
• Habitat fragmentation (i.e. habitats being broken up by landscaped features such as roads, as well as enclosed gardens reducing foraging opportunities),
• Garden pesticides and poisons.

After joining the Hedgehog Friendly Campus campaign in 2019, Newcastle University achieved the Silver Hedgehog Friendly Campus accreditation in January 2022. This achievement required the consistent and targeted implementation of a variety of actions to make our green spaces, paths, and streets more welcoming to both hedgehogs and the variety of species that they rely on.

If you have a garden and want to help hedgehogs yourself, the People's Trust for Endangered Species has an A-Z of Helping Hedgehogs resource for small things you can do to benefit your local hedgehogs. Contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society if you are worried about a hedgehog.

Links

• EAUC biodiversity guide for colleges and universities (colleagues and students can register for free membership).
• ERIC North East - Environmental Records Information Centre for the North East of England. Working with wildlife recording groups and individuals to collate environmental data used to inform nature conservation.
• iSpot - a website aimed at helping anyone identify anything in nature.
• Moorside Allotments - Newcastle allotments based off Fenham Hall Drive.
• Natural History Society of Northumbria - promoting and encouraging the study of natural history, protecting the flora and fauna in the north east of England, and caring for and extending their library and collections at the Great North Museum: Hancock.
• Northumberland Wildlife Trust - the leading charity dedicated to nature conservation and environmental education within Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland.
• OPAL - the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) network is a partnership initiative celebrating biodiversity, environmental quality and people's engagement with nature.
• Ouseburn Farm - a green oasis in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne. A community-led project located in the Lower Ouseburn Valley which allows people to get up close to animals, explore the fields, woods and ponds, and stroll around the garden.
• RSPB – one of the largest wildlife conservation organisations in Europe. The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment.
• The Anthropocene Research Group - Newcastle University’s Anthropocene Research Group coordinates research across traditional discipline boundaries to deliver practical, engaged solutions to real-world issues, under the banner Enough, For all, Forever.
• The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) – a charity dedicated to preserving hedgehogs native to the United Kingdom.
• Newcastle University Bee Society – membership (only available to current students) offers access to beekeeping opportunities on campus, educational workshops, and community events.
• Go Volunteer - The volunteering programme at Newcastle University Students' Union hosts a range of sustainability focused opportunities from a variety of organisations. Examples include roles focused on urban farming, protecting city parks, and preserving the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.