91ÌìÌÃÉ«ÇéƬ

About biodiversity

The 91ÌìÌÃÉ«ÇéƬ’s grounds and gardens span 153 hectares of rich and diverse habitats that support a wide variety of wildlife including amphibians, birds, insects, mammals and reptiles, forming important ecological links to surrounding natural areas in Exeter. 

Biodiversity Commitment 

The University recognises biodiversity as essential for clean air, water, food and ecological resilience.  

The  pledge was signed in 2022, committing us to establish a biodiversity baseline, set targets and report annually - leading to the development of our . 

Actions include: 

• Creation of wildflower meadows that support pollinators and visual diversity
• Installation of bug hotels, tree planting and removal of invasive species 
• Reduced pesticide use and protection measures for vulnerable species 
• Public engagement through bioblitzes, birdwatching, tree seed collection and volunteering activities 

Habitats & Natural Features 

The University grounds feature: 

• Registered County Wildlife Site at Lower Hoopern Valley
• Watercourses and ponds
• Diverse planting collections
• Wildflower meadows
• Over 10,000 trees - 388 tree species from 6 continents - that remove over 3.5 tonnes of pollution from the air, store nearly 5,290 tonnes of carbon and prevent 8,390m of water run-off on campus
• Landscapes designed by renowned horticultural families and maintained to preserve rare and exotic species

Grounds Team Sustainability Approach 

Key priorities include: 

• Wellbeing
  • Extensive green spaces and trails promote mental and physical health
  • Benches made from sustainable hardwood
  • Self guided‑walks (horticultural highlights, tree trails, biodiversity trails, water walks, sound trail and out in nature trail) help the community connect with nature
• Communication & Engagement
  • Environmental information boards
  • The Grounds team runs volunteer sessions; Garden Involvement Volunteers Events and Veg Heads Volunteer Sessions tending the vegetable garden that provides produce for the University kitchens
• Sustainable Operations:
  • Use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to minimise chemical pesticide reliance 
  • Battery powered tools and vehicles to reduce fossil fuel use 
  • Sustainable plant production that avoids peat 
  • Tree cover management aligned with environmental benefits 
  • Install bird, bat and swift boxes 
  • Build and install bug hotels and insect palaces 
  • Preserve and enhance existing wildlife habitats 
  • Introduce wildflower meadows and nectar beds 
  • Plant a diverse range of flowering plants and shrubs, to encourage year round wildlife activity 
  • Reduce mowing regimes around the margins of amenity open space 
  • Naturalise bulbs 
  • Create woodland habitat piles from materials generated on campus, to provide sources of food, shelter and hibernation sites 
  • Veteranise suitable trees to provide standing dead wood 
  • Use mulches on planted beds to reduce reliance on chemical weed control 
  • Avoid non-essential tree works and hedge pruning during the bird nesting season 
  • Stimulate natural habitats by leave eco-strips near streams and woodland edges 

A new, overarching Sustainability Strategy is currently being developed to replace the Environmental Sustainability Policy and will define how the University responds to its most significant sustainability impacts – both within our campuses and across the wider communities we influence. Find out more here.

Campus Recognition & Stewardship 

As ambassadors for sustainability and biodiversity, the dedicated Grounds team maintains two national plant collections ( ²¹²Ô»å ), manages tree stock of over 10,000 trees and supports specialist habitats year round.

The University’s campuses continue to be celebrated as among the most beautiful and botanically rich in the UK. Streatham Campus is an , has been awarded  and contributes significantly to the region’s environmental and ecological value.  

View the University’s Sustainability Strategies, Policies and Standards .

Please visit the University’s  webpages for further information.