University of Worcester

Biodiversity


Campus BiodiversityCampus biodiversity


The University of Worcester is committed to ‘ensuring that the green spaces on campus are retained and enhanced’. We are taking positive action to: 

  • Promote biodiversity and sustainability on the sites we manage and own 
  • Raise awareness of biodiversity and sustainable practices amongst staff and students

The University recognises the value of biodiversity and sustainable practices to: 

  • Both formal and informal learning about open spaces and their associated flora and fauna 
  • The important contribution an environment makes to the quality of life

The Grounds Team manages the University playing fields and amenity spaces. Their work also includes the enhancement of trees, hedgerows and habitat availability. This is done alongside colleagues in academic departments who utilise the open spaces for conservation and education.


The Conservation Area on St John's Campus was developed by staff in the Institute of Science and the Environment for teaching and research purposes.  It is widely used by students studying the Biological Sciences, Conservation Ecology, Archaeology and Forensic and Applied Science.


A Grounds Management and Biodiversity Action Plan for St John’s Campus was drawn up in 2008 and can be found in the download section. The Grounds Management Plan is reviewed by the Environment Committee on an annual basis and the original Biodiversity Action Plan contained within this Plan outlines a working programme which is regularly reviewed and updated by the Strategic Management Biodiversity Group. 


Grounds Management Plans for other University sites are under development.


As part of our commitment to improve and protect campus biodiversity, the University regularly commissions external consultants to produce ecological surveys and reports prior to any major construction developments taking place. A comprehensive Tree Survey of St John's Campus was conducted in 2006 and is available in three different reports which are available as downloads on the right. If you would like to receive copies of the photographic images that complement these reports, please contact Jamie Hill, Grounds Manager on jamie.hill@worc.ac.uk.


In April 2009, Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy conducted a Phase 1 Habitat survey and a protected species survey assessment of St John's Campus. A copy of this report can also be found in the downloads section to the right of this page.

Strategic Biodiversity Management Group

This Group was set up in 2009 to oversee and manage the implementation of the Grounds Management Plan and the Biodiversity Action Plan. Membership is drawn from both internal and external stakeholders including representatives from Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and external consultants are often appointed to conduct ecological surveys and reports. Meetings take place four times a year to review and update the Biodiversity Action Plan.


The minutes from the last SBMG meeting in June 2010 can be found here.


Plans for the future include the creation of a database of species surveys, improving the quality of campus hedgerows and other habitats, enhancing the conservation area and extensive tree planting. It is hoped to form a volunteer working group of staff and students to help on various conservation projects including the University Mile, a walk around St John's Campus which will highlight the diversity of habitats and flora and fauna.


Phase 1 habitat surveys were recently carried out on two new properties acquired by the University as part of its riverside development, amd can be found in the download section.

Snow and Ice Policy and Procedures

The Facilities Department is responsible for keeping the car parks, roads and footpaths around the University campuses free of ice and snow in inclement weather. Every effort will be made to ensure that external key areas are gritted and made safe for pedestrians primarily and, if resources are available, then this will be extended initially to roadways and lastly to car parks across all university sites.

Priority will always be given to pedestrian areas.

The University’s Snow and Ice Policy and Procedures can be found in the download section. It is reviewed on an annual basis by the Environment Committee.