The Environmental Sustainability and University Parks teams have been working together to create a rich, diverse new wildflower meadow, transforming an area previously used for summer events into a flourishing haven of biodiversity.
Working in partnership with the Long Mead Foundation, the University Parks team sowed yellow rattle seeds, introduced lost native wildflowers through plug planting, and reinstated a traditional hay-cutting management regime. Now, a few years on, the wildflowers are thriving and spreading across the site. Completely new species, such as pyramidal orchids, have naturally returned. This success has been incredibly encouraging, creating a vital sanctuary for pollinators and other wildlife in University Parks.
This project supports delivery of the University's ambitious goal to increase biodiversity across its estate by 2035, as outlined in its Environmental Sustainability Strategy. Significant progress is already underway, with projects spanning more than 1,000 hectares of land and supporting a wide range of habitats, species and conservation initiatives.
Watch our short video below to explore the meadow and hear from the teams behind its success!
