Biodiversity

The University of Chester incorporates biodiversity across its estate, creating new opportunities for wildlife. Welcoming staff and student input, the University has established thematic Sustainability Action Groups – including Biodiversity – to recognise ways for the University’s natural spaces to flourish.

There are several ways for the University community to get involved in biodiversity-related activities, whether that be through student-led projects, ‘Give it a Go’ volunteer events, or initiatives led by other groups, such as the University's Biodiversity Action Group (internal only).

We ensure our green spaces are environmentally friendly and offer benefits to our staff and students. Kindly provided by Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the University has also recently installed 3 rain beds at its Exton Park site. There are also multiple bug houses and hedgehog hotels, made from reclaimed and recycled materials, across learning sites.

Students and staff can also let their gardening skills bloom over time at the University's allotment and Community Hub garden spaces. From its humble beginnings in 2022, the Community Hub garden has welcomed partnerships with faculties through placements, student societies, University teams and charities – most notably Faiths4Change - to create a welcoming, natural space. Established in 2024, the student-led Gardening society has also taken a leading role in maintaining the allotment space. Volunteers at both spaces are able to help grow plants and produce (vegetables, herbs and fruit), which are used for cooking sessions on site.

The University’s estate provides valuable habitats and installations for flora, fauna and wildlife. The Grounds & Gardens team preserve our natural spaces through various initiatives, which have recently included:

  • Planting new areas with naturalising spring bulbs that are pollinator friendly – including snowdrops, crocus, narcissi, fritillaria.
  • Sowing pollinator-friendly wildflower seeds in new locations. The mixes are a combination of more than 25 species of annual and perennials including poppies, daisies, marigold, cosmos, cornflower, gaura, blanket flower.
  • Trialling a new method of wildflower sowing using ‘FloraFleece’ which supresses soil weed seeds and allows the wildflower seed a better chance of success.
  • Working alongside the School of Education to install bird feeders in trees outside the building.
  • Rejuvenating Grosvenor House's boarders with a pollinator-friendly theme as part of an ongoing team project.
  • Creating more cut flower areas, not only for sustainably sourcing cut flowers for events, but providing more plants for pollinators. Flowers in these areas include cosmos, calendula, zinnia, verbena, sweat peas, amberboa, echinacea and helichrysum.

Grounds and Gardens also run workshops with students at Chester and the wider community throughout the academic year - from wreath making to their ‘Bee Friendly’ event (as part of Chester’s Festival of Ideas).

A bug hotel surrounded by trees and shrubs
Bug hotel
Members of the sustainability team planting a young tree on an open grass area
Planting a tree in line with our tree replacement policy
A bench, chairs and table made from unwanted wooden pallets
Seating area created from unwanted wooden pallets
Staff and students kneeing in front of lots of produce, apples, carrots, courgettes, grown in the allotment
Staff and students with allotment produce

University Allotment

The University allotment is a dedicated space for staff and students to grow fruit and vegetables. In May 2022, the allotment was redeveloped to make it more accessible, welcoming and manageable.

The student-led Gardening society host weekly allotment sessions for students throughout the academic year. These sessions are a chance to enjoy the allotment space and let your gardening skills bloom over time. Staff are also welcome to access the allotment space and are encouraged to facilitate sessions too.

For more information, email sustainability@chester.ac.uk.