Lancaster University achieves the international benchmark for its outdoor spaces for the eleventh year in a row and is officially recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces.

The Green Flag is the quality mark for the management of parks and green spaces across the UK and worldwide.

After two years that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, receiving an eleventh award is a recognition of the skill and dedication of the team that makes the campus a great place that everyone can enjoy.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Lancaster University worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“Lancaster University is a vital green space for the community at University campus. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and student volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

This year the University’s Grounds team has engaged in a national effort to support pollinators by designating areas of campus as 'No Mow Zones'. The initiative leaves areas of grassland relatively untouched and enables wildflowers to flourish. This creates a habitat that supports surrounding wildlife including bees and other pollinators.

Andrew Burgess, Director of Estates, Facilities & Commercial Services at Lancaster University, said: “It is a fantastic achievement to have been awarded this for eleven years running; many of the team have been here for all of that time and have worked exceptionally hard to maintain the standard of our campus.

“A huge thank you to our Landscape Manager Ian Sturzaker and all the Grounds team for achieving this during such challenging times. It’s a massive benefit to the students, staff and visitors to Lancaster University.”

A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces and more information about the Green Flag Awards is available online.