With funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this Nottingham-based pilot focused on restoring nature into spaces where staff and students work and learn. It was a partnership between the 糖心原创, Nottingham College and Bluecoat Aspley Academy.
Biodiversity and healthy ecosystems are crucial for the survival of all life on earth. But nature is under threat, not least in the UK where we are one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. And consequently, we are also increasingly disconnected from nature.
Over two years, the Wilding Campuses project aimed to address this by increasing the abundance and diversity of threatened species on and around our campuses. Crucially, it also empowered students, staff and young people across Nottingham to reconnect with nature and tackle the ecological crisis through practical skills sessions, and engagement and wellbeing activities.
More than 40 activities were delivered at UoN, with over 500 people participating. Thank you to eveyone that took part!
Take part in activities
This first phase of the projet has now concluded, but that doesn't mean the work has stopped! There are still lots of activities and events to get involved in.
Everyone is welcome to attend any event and all equipment is provided. See below for all the events that are currently planned. New opportunities are frequently added.
Conservation sessions at Diamond Wood – Wednesday 7 October
Diamond Wood at Sutton Bonington was created in 2012. Since then the trees have been outgrowing their protective guards. They now need removing before they harm the trees or disintegrate plastic into the soil.
Join other students and staff from UoN, as well as members of the Sutton Bonington community to help keep Diamond Wood healthy for all who use it.
2-4pm. Meet at the
Why not make a day of it and visit the on campus beforehand for lunch.
No experience needed. Please bring gardening gloves if you have them, sturdy footwear and suitable clothes. If you have the app , please also record any of the nature you spot on the day to help our biodiversity records of the woodland.
There are additional community dates planned too and everyone is welcome, again, meet at the :
- Saturday 10 October 10am-12pm
- Sunday 11 October 2.30-4.30pm
Wildflower seed sowing on University Park - Weds 14 October
Autumn is the perfect time for sowing wildflowers. And we have lots of seed to sow! Help us improve University Park for nature by increase food for pollinators, birds and small mammals.
Meet at Florence Boot Hall at 1.15pm. Location on What3Words:
We'll be planting up strip alongside the road. 1.15pm-3pm.
Register your interest so we have an idea of numbers: .
Millennium Garden habitat improvements - Weds 21 October
Over the past year we've been working to make the Millennium Garden on UP more wildlife friendly. Come along to this session to learn about enhancing spaces for nature and the benefits of managing ponds organically and sustainably.
The session will include:
- Sowing wildflowers - to increase the diversity of flowering plants to feed the birds and the birds.
- Pond dipping - see what's living in the pond!
- Clearing out pond weed - essential to keeping the pond healthy.
- Building a log wall - to provide even more habitats for our campus critters.
1.20 - 3pm. Meet at the Millennium Garden pond.
Please so that we have an idea of numbers.
Putting out hedgehog houses and hedgehog friendly litterpick - Weds 4 November
Students from the department of Architecture and the Built Environment built some incredible hedgehog houses last year. Come and help us now put them out across campus for our resident hedgehogs to hibernate in.
At the same time, we'll be litter-picking as UoN competes in the . Hedgehogs are covered in thousands of spines, making them vulnerable to becoming trapped in litter. By joining us on a litter pick, you will help protect hedgehogs and other local wildlife from becoming injured.
Meet at Djanogly Terrace, Portland Building on University Park
Location: what3words.com/sums.slice.rips
1.20pm - 3pm
Bulb planting on UP - Weds 11 November
Help us plant up an area of campus with spring flowering bulbs to bring a splash of colour to 'STEM city' and provide early foraging for insects.
Meet outside the Boots Science Building: What3Words:
1.20pm - 3pm
Jubilee community orchard work party - Weds 18 November
Last winter we planted a new community orchard on Jubilee campus. Join us at this session to check on how the trres are growing. Learn how and why its so important to care for newly planted trees Activities will include weeding, mulching, edging.
Meet at Jubilee orchard - What3Words:
1.20pm-3pm
Register your interest:
Hedge planting as part Sustainability Action Week - Weds 25 November
The university's Sustainability Action Week is back 23-27 November 2026. The week perfectly ties in with . So to celebrate both and provide an opportunity for our community to take action for nature and feel part of the solution to the climate and biodiverstiy crisis, we'll be planting more hedgerows on University Park.
Hedgerows are a vital but overlooked habitat, and actually the largest wildlife habitat in the UK. They act as green corridors for wildlife, connect areas and providing food and shelter.
Further details to be provided nearer the time.
Important information
- Grounds can provide PPE essential to the task as needed, including gloves, eye protection and hi-vis vests.
- Volunteers should provide their own footwear and will not be permitted to work with inadequate footwear on tasks where risk of foot injury is possible.
- First Aid kit will be provided on site.
If you plan on attending any events, please read this Risk Assessment.
Biodiversity at UoN
The university has some of the greenest campuses in the UK. They support a diverse range of habitats and species and are enjoyed by our staff, students, and the local community. The Wilding Campus project will tie in with work already underway to enhance and protect our beautiful green spaces for the benefit of all. A new biodiversity steering group, made up of staff and students, from across schools and operations, is driving this agenda.
Recent surveys have helped establish campus biodiversity baselines so we can set effective improvement targets. For example, as part of the Wild Campuses project, the university has committed to rewilding 15% of our land.
Wilding Campuses is a regional partnership project to restore local natural heritage, led by SOS-UK and made possible with the Heritage Fund and thanks to National Lottery players.