As part of landscaping work in the area of campus between the new Sports Hall and Health Innovation One, Lancaster University has recently planted a mix of 2,000 deciduous broadleaf trees and shrubs, a new hedgerow and wildflower meadow patches. The scheme was delivered as part of a biodiversity net-gain programme associated with the construction of the new Sports Hall and improves existing habitats in the area as well as creating wildlife corridor links between the existing woodlands. The planting took place in November 2020, with the trees and hedgerow now in place adjacent to the network of new cycling and walking shared-use paths leading between main campus, the Sports Centre and Health Innovation One.

Over coming years, the trees, shrubs and wildflowers will compliment and expand the existing mosaic habitat of open grassland, woodland and scrub whilst the extensive and expanded path network enhances the campus environment for recreation and wellbeing. The scheme has included understory planting in existing woodland, consisting of hazel, hawthorn and dogwood. Woodland extensions include species such as alder, birch and willow. The wildflower meadow patches include a seed mix of up to 28 native wildflowers and grasses.

The planting initiative is a Facilities managed contribution to the wider ECOWoods initiative, part of the University and Students’ Union’s collaborative sustainability programme, Green Lancaster. The ECOWoods programme incorporates woodland management and conservation in the extensive woodlands across campus, plus new planting such as this scheme and the Forest of the Future planting at Forrest Hills which has so far planted 5,500 trees. Woodland creation and sustainable conservation/management is a critical project in response to the University’s Climate Emergency Declaration in November 2020.