{"id":9853,"date":"2020-07-09T13:06:05","date_gmt":"2020-07-09T13:06:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/sustainability\/?page_id=9853"},"modified":"2025-07-17T10:44:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T10:44:29","slug":"biodiversity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/sustainability\/biodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure"},"content":{"rendered":"
Sustainability <\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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      Enhancing Our Natural Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n

      The University is committed to protecting and enhancing the biodiversity of our campuses and land and engaging students, staff and the local community in order to educate and communicate the importance of biodiversity.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Our Strategic Commitments\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

      The University estate encompasses a range of habitats and much biodiversity, and it is vital that we actively manage our land to ensure this continues to thrive, minimising our impact on wildlife and encouraging native species.\u00a0 We need to ensure our planning fully assesses the impact on biodiversity in relation to campus development and implement strategies to mitigate any loss of habitat.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      We will aim to showcase the biodiversity on our Estate in an engaging and accessible way, providing benefit to our community and encouraging involvement in the future evolution of our natural spaces.\u00a0 This includes developing more opportunities for enhancing student learning through involvement in sustainability research projects that utilise our green spaces as a \u2018Living Lab\u2019, as well as offering local school groups new ways to access nature based learning opportunities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Longer term projects such as Loddon Garden Village will provide opportunities to create significantly more green space for the benefit of the local community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Biodiversity initiatives enshrined in our Environmental Sustainability Strategic Action Plan are:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Project Name<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nKey Measure\/Target<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nDescription<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nDevelopment Phase<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nProject Start<\/span><\/b><\/td>\nProposed Completion<\/span><\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Enhancing campus biodiversity and engaging our community<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nSet baseline % of campus estate prioritised for biodiversity and improvement target<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nLaunch Biodiversity Action Plan (phase 1) setting enhancement opportunities across UK campuses and community engagement in biodiversity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nScoping<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAutumn 2025<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAutumn 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Enhancing biodiversity across our non-campus estate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nDevelop Biodiversity net gain metric and target for non-campus estate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nDeveloping Biodiversity Action Plan (phase 2) setting enhancement opportunities across our non-campus estate, including significant development opportunities such as 'Loddon Garden Village', and contributing to the Berkshire Nature Recovery Plan.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nScoping<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nOngoing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nSummer 2030<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      UoR Nature Park<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nValidate scheme through pilot schools activity before launch in summer 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nLaunch improved scheme offering outdoor learning opportunities to local education settings, aligned with the National Education Nature Park<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nActive<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nOngoing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAutumn 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Develop UoR climate resilience and adaptation plan<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nPlan published by end of 2025<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nDevelop plan to anticipate and mitigate future risks to business continuity and business activities from evolving climate change impacts, including extreme weather events<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nActive<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAutumn 2024<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAutumn 2025<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

      Biodiversity Action Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Following the results of a comprehensive baseline ecological assessment of our Whiteknights campus, the University is in the process of creating and reviewing a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), to initially focus on our main UK campuses.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      The BAP will detail the opportunities, goals and targets to improve biodiversity on our UK campuses for the years ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

      The University<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s detailed<\/span><\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span>Habitat Management Plan <\/span><\/span><\/a>is guiding current activity to enhance biodiversity in key areas<\/span> on our main Whiteknights campus<\/span>.\u202f<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Some of the enhancements already planned for 2025-26 include;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Activity<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nTarget date<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Re-purposing of former Basketball court\u202f<\/span><\/b>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      A derelict basketball court will be back filled with green waste compost produced on site and sown with a wildflower mixture providing a connection between areas containing veteran trees.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Area 01 the Estates Habitat Management Plan.<\/span><\/i>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		By 31<\/span>st<\/span> December 2024<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Wilderness Woodland\u202f<\/span><\/b>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Further extension of ghost ponds within the Wilderness, removal of invasive species and planting of native trees and shrubs. To include over planting of last year's works to replace vandalised trees.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Wilderness Woodland Management Plan compartment 7150\u202f<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		By 1<\/span>st<\/span> March 2025<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Halls of Residence<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Complete over planting of approximately 250m2 native trees and shrubs a<\/span>t <\/span>Windsor Hall <\/span>(a<\/span>s agreed with UPP)<\/span>.<\/span>\u202f\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		By 1<\/span>st<\/span> March 2025<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Fox Hill Drive and Lake side areas<\/span><\/b>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Complete programme of invasive species removal (Laurel, Rhododendron) and exploit planting opportunities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Within areas 13, 14 (Fox Hill) as described in the Estates Habitat Management Plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		By 1<\/span>st<\/span> March 2025<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      London Road Campus, Redlands Road Boundary<\/span><\/b>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Continue programme of exotic shrub and understory removal and selective removal of failing trees (subject to planning permission) Exploit planting opportunities to extend recent planting of native trees and shrubs.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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      Nature Positive University Alliance<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

      \"\"<\/a>The University continues to be a member of the Nature Positive University Alliance (NPUA), a global network of universities that have pledged to work towards a global \u201cnature positive\u201d goal in order to halt, prevent and reverse nature loss through addressing their own impacts and restoring ecosystems harmed by their activities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      S<\/span>everal students from the University have become Student Ambassadors for NPUA, allowing them to join an international network of students wanting to make changes for nature on their campus. The students have had access to resources and training, volunteering opportunities and workshops to help them to make changes on campus and gain skills that will help them in their future careers.\u202f<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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      Thames Valley Science Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP) is a University owned site which provides modern, flexible office space and cutting edge laboratories. Already home to Shinfield studios, the site is continuing to grow, with both the Natural History Museum and Kew Gardens collaborating with the University to open storage facilities and laboratories at TVSP in the coming years.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Natural History Museum<\/h4>\n

      Plans have been approved by Wokingham Borough Council for the Natural History Museum development at the University of Reading-owned Thames Valley Science Park.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The new state-of-the-art science and digitisation centre will enable major international scientific collaboration, generate big data and the application of cutting-edge analysis of the world\u2019s most significant natural history collection.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Over 27 million specimens, as well as over 5,500 metres of accompanying Natural History Museum Library material will be rehoused in the largest collections move for the Museum since the 1880s.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Construction of the new facility is due to begin in early 2025, with completion expected by 2027. By 2031, the centre will be fully operational, equipped with cutting-edge laboratories, workspace for Museum scientists and purpose built storage for 28 million specimens.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Kew Gardens Herbarium<\/h4>\n

      A new, purpose-built herbarium at TVSP will become home to Kew\u2019s ~8.5 million items to allow them to curate and care for their irreplaceable herbarium collections, provide capacity for growth and increase the collections use in botanical research and conservation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>This new herbarium will provide state-of-the-art research, education and collaboration facilities that will allow Kew to continue their critical work to address the biodiversity and climate crises. It will also enable the public to engage with their collections and research to a previously unattainable extent.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>This collaboration between the University of Reading and Kew Gardens will also allow the University to develop its collections based research, benefitting both academic staff and students.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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      Langley Mead<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

      \"People<\/a>Langley Mead is a University of Reading owned site consisting of over 18 hectares of countryside along the banks of the River Loddon, made accessible to the public for recreation and enjoyment as a Suitable Alternative\u00a0Natural\u00a0Greenspace (SANG).<\/span> The site has been the subject of an ongoing project to restore agricultural land back to the biodiverse landscape that once existed there. The project is led by University of Reading as part of development proposals for the South of the M4 Strategic Development Location (SDL). It aims to create an area that provides a visually stimulating, attractive and educational environment for local people to visit and to enjoy.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Outdoor Learning Spaces<\/h4>\n

      In collaboration with local schools, a number of outdoor learning spaces have been created and identified for use on the Langley Mead site.\u00a0<\/span> A<\/span>n designated area of ancient woodland is to be used by local school groups to help those who struggle with engaging with learning in a classroom environment, to help promote more informal learning opportunities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>A meadow classroom has also been created next to St Mary\u2019s school to help enhance environmental education. The site benefits from the creation of a wildlife pond, bee mounds and habitat boxes for birds and hedgehogs to help promote and enhance local biodiversity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Meadow Restoration<\/h4>\n

      Arable farmland at Langley Mead is being steadily restored into meadow habitats to help sustain local biodiversity. This transition has seen an increase in native wildflowers, and the subsequent return of a more diverse habitat for pollinators, birds and small mammals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>To further promote meadow habitats and their importance to biodiversity, the Estates team at the University have been increasing awareness within the local community by offering learning opportunities and events on site, such as National Meadows Day on the 6<\/span>th<\/span> of July. This day allowed visitors to take a guided tour through the meadows at Langley Mead. There was also an information stall, self-guided walks and a wildlife activity sheet for children to ensure the day, and the environment, could be enjoyed by all.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Ecological Surveys<\/h4>\n

      The sites at Langley Mead are regularly surveyed and monitored by ecologists, to prove and ensure that any work conducted by our estates team on site, not only protects existing wildlife, but also enhances it. This has led to the protection of Ancient Woodland habitats and changes to mowing schedules to accommodate nesting birds.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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      Living Lab<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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      Whiteknights Campus<\/h4>\n

      The University\u2019s main Whiteknights campus (<\/span>see map here<\/span><\/a>) is set in approximately 134 hectares of parkland which offers a superb mix of habitats for wildlife including formal gardens, managed hay meadows, woodland, wood pasture and a series of lakes. We are proud to have<\/span> won 14 consecutive Green Flag awards<\/span><\/a>, recognising the campus as one of Britain\u2019s top green spaces, which welcomes thousands of visitors each year including school and other community groups as well as the general public.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u202fWe have a\u202f<\/span>s<\/span><\/a>elf guided walking tour<\/span><\/a>\u202fto help you explore our beautiful campus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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      Our community of academics, professional colleagues and students, which boasts botanists, ecologists, meteorologists and zoologists (to name just a small section) have been studying our campus for many decades (in fact meteorological observations have been made almost continuously since 1901).<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u202fYou can learn more about the trees we are lucky enough to have on Whiteknights campus on this\u202f<\/span>website<\/span><\/a>, which provides a map, list and photos of the trees on this campus.\u202f \u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      To date, over 2000 species (a current list can be found<\/span>\u202f<\/span>here<\/span><\/a>) have been recorded in this suburban parkland. Approximately 40% of our Whiteknights campus is managed primarily for biodiversity.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u202fThe University\u2019s detailed<\/span>\u202f<\/span>Habitat Management Plan<\/span><\/a>\u202f<\/span>is guiding current activity to enhance biodiversity in key areas.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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      Campus and our courses<\/h4>\n

      The School of Biological Sciences and the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development have both incorporated the University of Reading main campus into their teaching modules to allow students to study its various habitats and species.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Plant samples from across campus are regularly used to support undergraduate and masters teaching, particularly for field surveys and plant identification, involving trees, grasses, sedges and wildflowers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Bird feeding stations have also been set up across campus for practical teaching and research purposes, and will be featured in the MSc Animal Survey and Assessment module for the 2024\/25 academic year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      BioBlitz 2025<\/h4>\n

      Throughout early 2025, staff and students from across the University took part in the ICA Biodiversity Challenge. This challenge saw ICA member campuses from across Europe monitor biodiversity, in the form of a BioBlitz, and record as many species on campus as they could. The University of Reading placed 3<\/span>rd<\/span> in the challenge, recording 1,334 species, including 640 plant species. \u202f\u202fOur results can be seen <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Not only was this event a great way of monitoring the biodiversity across our campus, but it also had the added benefit of bringing together students and colleagues from across schools to make new connections. The group walks also had a positive impact on participants mental and physical wellbeing by allowing them to take time to walk around campus during the work day.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Building on this success, and the enthusiasm of participants to engage again next year, we hope in 2026 to run a larger bioblitz that allows staff, students and local residents to participate, as part of our Centenary celebrations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      BioBlitz activities have been kindly supported by the Friends of the University of Reading.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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      University of Reading Nature Park<\/h4>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      The University of Reading\u202f<\/span>Nature Park project<\/span><\/a>\u202fis looking to offer local schools increased opportunities to access nature-based learning on campus, as well as select satellite locations, aligned with the <\/span>National Education Nature Park<\/span><\/a> initiative.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Launched in October 2023, the National Education Nature Park scheme looks to bring together green spaces from education settings across England in a virtual nature park. It enables children and young people to get involved in practical action to improve biodiversity at their setting,\u202f but also links nature education within the curriculum to a wide range of subjects.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Currently, the\u202fUniversity of Reading Nature Park\u202fis in its pilot phase, with select schools being invited onto campus to help create and shape the project, with an intended full launch in March 2026 in line with the Universities centenary.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Our goals are to:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n