A photo of a coot swimming on Lake Carter

A Biodiverse Campus

Aerial photo of Forrest Hills

Green campus

Bailrigg Campus sits within a parkland landscape covering a staggering 62 acres, which is equivalent to more than 47 football pitches. The estate contains a diverse mix of habitats including woodland, grasslands and waterbodies. To manage these important ecological assets the grounds team, use a number of environmental techniques to support the different habitats, wildlife and ecosystems. The management of these assets is contained within the links below.

Green Campus
Woodland Management Plan
Ecology Plan
Landscape & Maintenance Plan
A landscape photo of Lake Carter on a sunny day

Protecting and enhancing the campus landscape

The University's strategy for protecting and enhancing the landscape aims to ensure that negatively impacted areas of campus, through activities such as constructing new buildings, it offsets those impacts by either developing new environments or enhancing existing habitats elsewhere on the estate to the benefit of both the wildlife and campus users.

Hedgehog friendly campus

Our campus is 'Gold Accredited' by the national Biodiversity Programme; Hedgehog Friendly Campus. The campaign is coordinated by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and assesses institutions across the Higher Education sector, recognising sustainable processes and practices that #protecthedgehogs and allow them to thrive.

If you were to put all the native hedgerow we have across the estate in a straight line it would reach Lancaster Castle and back - that's more than 10km of hedgerow!

The Grounds Team have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag award for the last 10 consecutive years.

In partnership with students and staff, the University holds a Silver Award as part of the national initiative Hedgehog Friendly Campus

19%

There are around 25,000 trees across the Bailrigg estate ranging in species and  age. These offer a really important habitat for birds, bats and invertebrates. Woodland and tree cover makes up 19% of the footprint of the estate.

Areas of grassland across the estate are managed and maintained to benefit pollinators and other insects and flora. Each year, the University supports national initiatives to encourage healthy ecosystems across campus. 

Woodland Walk

The woodland walk provides a beautiful route through 2.6 miles of woodland canopy that can be enjoyed by all levels of physical ability. Along the route you're likely to spot lots of wildlife and plants that can be recorded in the iRecord app.

Looking out for our wildlife

We are fortunate that Bailrigg Campus sits within a 250-acre estate of beautiful greenery that provides lots of space for wildlife to flourish. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to spot a diverse range of birds, bats, deer, rabbits, squirrels and even barn owls in and around campus. Take a look below at some of the images we've captured from our camera trap lately.

looking out for our wildlife

We are fortunate that Bailrigg Campus sits within a 250-acre estate of beautiful greenery that provides lots of space for wildlife to flourish. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to spot a diverse range of birds, bats, deer, rabbits, squirrels and even barn owls in and around campus. Take a look below at some of the images we've captured from our camera trap lately.

Deer grazing in a field at Forrest Hills

Looking out for our wildlife

We are fortunate that Bailrigg Campus sits within a 250-acre estate of beautiful greenery that provides lots of space for wildlife to flourish. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to spot a diverse range of birds, bats, deer, rabbits, squirrels and even barn owls in and around campus. Take a look below at some of the images we've captured from our camera trap lately.

Help us track sightings with iRecord

The University collects data to provide real-time insights in to the ecology of campus using iRecord. You can use iRecord to record sightings of birds, butterflies, bats and other forms of wildlife, which helps to support the management of our green spaces, as well as aiding current teaching and research.

Record a sighting

Green Lancaster

A collaborative initiative between the University and Students' Union, Green Lancaster coordinate a range of activities and projects that engage with staff and students, and drive positive change across the University landscape and beyond.

  • ECOWild

    ECOWild is a platform for biodiversity monitoring on campus and off-campus. The project offers experience-based learning opportunities delivered in partnership with various nature conservation organisations, working on projects that address the Ecological Emergency.

  • ECOWoods

    Formerly known as Forest of the Future, the project has grown to have a significant following of volunteers who help maintain the natural landscape across campus and at Forrest Hills. Volunteer staff and students have planted more than 4000 trees over the last 3 years to help build sustainable habitats and promote wildlife.