Biodiversity Plan

Ducks swim in a pond on campus
A lake surrounded by trees and foliage.
Lake Carter

Biodiversity plan

The University estate covers 578 acres, encompassing grassland, playing fields, woodlands and even a lake.

The University is committed to maximising the ecological value of its green and blue spaces for the benefit of a wide range of flora and fauna, whilst at the same time retaining its functional value. There is a strong focus on conservation, with woodland management activities, creating wildlife habitats and links, planting for pollinators, grassland management creation, hedge creation and laying.

Our vision is to increase the biodiversity value of the existing estate and to contribute, where possible, to local, regional and national biodiversity targets.

The University Grounds and Maintenance team will manage and develop our green and blue spaces, so they provide physical and psychological wellbeing to our students, employees and visitors to the University estate.

  • 390,000m² of grass to cut
  • 278,000m² of woodland to monitor and maintain
  • 4,000m² of shrub beds to tend
  • 4,000m² of hedge to keep trimmed
  • 108 refuse bins and 40 recycling units to empty on a daily basis
  • 84,000m² of hard-surfaced areas to sweep on a daily basis

Objectives

  • Create an emphasis on promoting opportunities with staff, students and the local community to increase and educate about biodiversity on the university campus - run at least 8 engagement activities with various stakeholders each academic year.
  • Ensure compliance with section 40 of the NERC Act.
  • Annually review our management procedures to ensure we remain committed and focused on continued biodiversity across campus
Two students walking through campus surrounded by trees

Principles of biodiversity and wildlife management

In practical terms, the management and development of biodiversity across our Campus will follow these principles:

  • We will programme the type of work we do to carefully reduce its impact on species that may be breeding, feeding or hibernating. For example, hedge cutting and tree works are carried out in the winter months to avoid disturbing nesting birds
  • Wherever possible we substitute chemical pesticides with a cultural control; where we must use pesticides, we will choose those with the lowest hazard rating
  • Where possible we will compost green waste on site and reuse within maintenance operations
  • Our shrub beds and planting schemes will create a variety of species to extend the range of flowering times and winter berries to provide food for all seasons
  • We will provide additional shelter for wildlife, for example bird boxes, wood stacks and habitat piles
  • Our diversity of trees and plants will provide different heights and foliage for numerous types of wildlife
  • We will manage trees and woodlands and other areas of the landscape to encourage biodiversity for example by controlling invasive non-native species and retaining old trees and dead wood
  • Through monitoring management and maintenance practices we will ensure that all our waterbodies provide as much biodiversity potential as possible
  • We will provide regular opportunities for students and other members of our community to be involved in biodiversity management and improvement projects.

Tab Content: Trees

Trees are a major feature of the landscape at Lancaster and, particularly through the winter months, the section's work is taken up with their maintenance, whether this is pruning or simply collecting the huge volume of leaf litter deposited by them annually. Each year a campus-wide tree survey is undertaken to report on the condition of the trees and identify any problems.

Tab Content: Lake Carter

The lake is a very important feature of the campus. Its total surface area is now over 6,500 m² with a capacity of 7,800m³ (2 million gallons) of water. It is the responsibility of the Grounds Section to maintain the lake and improve its ecosystem.

Tab Content: Sports pitches

The University has around 12.5 acres of grass sports fields, comprising 6 football pitches and 2 rugby pitches, and two synthetic pitches used for both football and hockey. The Grounds Team also regularly visit the Boathouse in Lancaster to maintain the surroundings, as well as work on the off-campus residencies at Chancellors Wharf also in the city centre.

Tab Content: Alien species

成人天堂 has an invasive weed management plan. This plan covers covers all the green spaces on campus and includes things like Rhododendron, Japanese Knotweed, Balsam and ragwort. We have location maps identifying areas of concern and a programme of management and eradication.

Tab Content: Removal of timber

Under no circumstances should cut or fallen timber be removed from the woodlands on campus. Not only is this a safety concern for those involved but it is also removing essential habitat material for insects and mammals as well as disturbing the important ground floral.

Security are constantly monitoring the woodland and will take action if they come across anybody removing timber.

Any issues or requests relating to the Grounds should be reported via the Facilities Helpdesk.

Policy owner/author: Landscape Manager - Ian Sturzaker

Version number: 1.0
Approved by: 成人天堂 Team - Dr Georgiana Allison (Head of 成人天堂)
Approved Date: 20 February 2025
Date last reviewed: February 2025
Date of next review: February 2026