Objective 3: Implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to address the crisis

Our CECAP actions include identifying opportunities to support nature, encouraging students and staff to connect with nature and incorporating nature into education and research.

This year we conducted ecological surveys to identify areas of improvement across campus, continued to explore nature-based solutions (NbS) and further developed new nature connection projects.

Rainwater harvesting

In 2021-22, 720,000 litres of rainwater were collected from rainwater harvesting in Poole Gateway Building, Bournemouth Gateway Building and the Fusion Building. This is an increase of 22% compared to last year.

Ecological surveys

In summer 2022, we contracted an external consultant, LC Ecological Services, to complete ecological surveys of our three main campuses: Talbot, Lansdowne and our Chapel Gate sports site. The comprehensive reports highlighted the existence of the nationally scarce species hairy bird’sfoot-trefoil on our Talbot Campus, as well as areas for improvement. They were presented to our Biodiversity Group who will translate them into a Biodiversity Action Plan in line with our CECAP. We also became the first university nationally to have added survey data to the NBN atlas for the public to freely access.

We are a Hedgehog Friendly Campus

We were certified as a Bronze Hedgehog Friendly Campus in 2022. Since the turn of the century, populations of hedgehogs in rural areas have fallen by at least 50%. With such a sharp decline, we wanted to ensure our campuses could support hedgehog populations so joined the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) as one of the universities working to make their campuses hog friendly. We have since installed hedgehog houses on Talbot Campus, ran awareness raising campaigns and conducted training sessions.

No Mow May & Bug Hotels

This year we took part in No Mow May. This national campaign, led by Plantlife, encourages individuals and companies to leave areas un-mowed during May to support wildflowers to grow and better support pollinators. We continued the campaign through June across three areas of our Talbot Campus.

We also ran a workshop for our community to build a bug hotel made from upcycled garden materials. Bug hotels provide an incredible habitat for insects and minibeasts, including woodlice, spiders and ladybirds.