Staffordshire University is continuing to implement different environmental strategies to protect and encourage biodiversity on its Stoke-on-Trent campus.
Biodiversity is the variety of wildlife, plants and organisms that support the earth’s ecosystem, and need to be preserved and enhanced, now more than ever.
To help wildflowers and pollenating insects that are in decline, the University continues to maintain “no mow” sections of campus, outside the Henrion building on College Road and its Coalport accommodation on Leek Road.
University students and staff have also planted wildflowers and hedgerows along the edge of the sports pitches on Leek Road, bordering the River Trent, to create a wildlife corridor that will eventually join the Stoke-on-Trent campus to Hanley Park when complete.
To promote biodiversity in an otherwise urban area, a green wall outside the University’s Science Centre on Leek Road is in progress. Students and staff have helped with several planting sessions to pot 400 seedlings into specialist pots that slot into the wall.
Helen Rutherford, Head of Campus Facilities Management at Staffordshire University, said: “Our University community has been working hard to encourage biodiversity on campus by looking at our environmental management strategies and dedicating more areas of our Stoke-on-Trent site to plants, trees and wildflowers.
“We are continuing to run regular planting and sustainability events for our students, staff and local community, to encourage everyone to play their part in making our campuses a thriving home for more diverse species of wildlife and plants.”
The University has a dedicated group of students and staff, known as the Wild Staffs Project, that are responsible for increasing the biodiversity and wildlife habitats on campus.
The Wild Staffs Project meet every Wednesday at 1.30pm. For any staff and students that would like to get involved, please contact Elle Atkins, Emily Baughn, Jasmine Barton or Michael Wild for more information.