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As part of a new landscaping approach, the University of ΢ÃÜȦ has established several biodiversity hotspots across campus, placing biodiversity at the heart of its decision-making. 

This initiative includes the development of areas such as Elmfield, Gell Street Pocket Park, and the newly completed SU Pocket Park, all designed to support local wildlife and enhance green spaces. These sites now offer a range of habitats - from shaded woodlands to wildflower meadows - that attract pollinators, birds, bats, and small mammals. 

Among the key changes are the introduction of differential mowing, where selected areas are allowed to grow wild to support insect life, and the creation of chemical-free zones, where herbicides are no longer used. In addition, the University has significantly expanded its planting of wildflowers, trees, and other native plants, while also installing new features such as ponds, log piles, and bird and bat boxes to encourage biodiversity. 

During the current planting season, which runs from October 2024 to April 2025, the University has added 800 square metres of wildflower turf across campus. This includes a new 250 square metre green space between the Information Commons and Jessop West. A total of 52 trees have also been planted, alongside the installation of 12 different types of bird and bat boxes, with more to come. 

These efforts are aimed at creating vibrant habitats that offer food and shelter for wildlife, particularly pollinators such as bees and butterflies, whose populations are under threat across the UK. 

One example of this work is Elmfield, located on Northumberland Road. This quiet, shaded spot has been developed into a woodland biodiversity hotspot, where a new pond and log piles provide shelter for hedgehogs, tadpoles, invertebrates, and other small creatures. In contrast, Gell Street Pocket Park offers a bright, meadow-like habitat that supports a variety of insects, including butterflies and bees. Each area is carefully designed to provide different types of environments that contribute to the wider ecosystem. 

Other green spaces across campus have also been enhanced. At 24 Endcliffe Crescent, for example, a low-value grass lawn has been replaced with a wildflower meadow, and the removal of fencing has opened up the area, making it more welcoming and inclusive for students and staff. 

Meanwhile, differential mowing continues to support biodiversity at locations such as St George's Churchyard, the Accommodation Services (ACS) paddock, parts of the Crewe site, and the area surrounding Endcliffe Pond. In these areas, grass is left to grow throughout the spring and summer and is strimmed in November, allowing wild plants to thrive and regenerate each year. 

Allowing long grass and wildflowers to flourish helps to create a vibrant and biodiverse habitat, providing food sources and shelter for insects, birds, and other wildlife, and helping to protect crucial pollinator species such as bees. 

Holly Fisher, Green Space Development Lead in the Landscape Team at the University, said: "There's been a real cultural shift within our team in how we manage the estate - biodiversity is now embedded in everything we do and is a core priority, not an afterthought.

"We're incredibly proud of the biodiversity hotspots we've developed so far. We've made the most of the resources available to create rich, wildlife-friendly habitats, and we're committed to expanding these efforts in the future."

Ruth Blakeley, Institutional Lead for Sustainability, said: "We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming campus for our staff, students, and local community - spaces that support wellbeing and help connect people with nature. These biodiversity efforts are a key part of our ambitious sustainability strategy and reflect our vision for a greener future both on campus and beyond."