Campus Environment and Biodiversity

Bridget, one of our PhD students, has been leading a series of workshops where staff and students alike are learning how to harvest nettles and create fibres. These workshops offer a hands-on opportunity to learn about our local ecosystem and the impacts of fast and slow fashion, all whilst benefitting from the mindfulness of a practical workshop.

The inaugural event was held on 14 June 2024, attracting more than 100 students despite taking place after the end of term. Events included a nettle darning workshop, a pond-dipping experience, Growhampton RSU, the Wild Collective RSU, the London Wetland Centre, and support from university departments: chaplains, well-being team, academics (pond dipping), the vice-chancellor, the sustainability team, and many inspiring student leaders.

A no-mow May regime was established with the support of the Estates department. At Southlands, several areas have been identified as wildflower meadows, and signage from plantlife.org.uk has now been installed. There has been an amazing response from students, who have made a video celebrating the wild areas, and they have also requested some chalk board signs to write species sightings and other information.

One of the events during Green Week was a workshop for making natural bird feeders using fats and seeds. These were placed around campus to support bird life.

The Vegan Society launched during Big Green Week, offering taste testing for vegan snacks!

A group event in the Growhampton Forest Garden included raspberry frame making, bug hotel building, and comfrey plant planting.

An innovative activity to help students and staff identify campus wildlife by working in teams to find specific wildlife, record pictorial evidence and share with the wider group where the winning team wins a prize.

A team led by the Roehampton Students’ Union Environmental Officer received University funding to run a nettles sustainability project on campus. This involved harvesting nettles from woodland margins, drying and processing the stalks to extract nettle fibre. Through four workshops students were then taught how to dye the fibres with locally sourced materials such as waste red and brown onion skins to craft a range of jewellery and small fabric products. A seminar presentation on both the educational and environmental benefits of this project was held on 22 May at the University, accompanied by a short film. For full details see the feature below.

The University’s very own Bat-Man Jonathan Nobrega led a bat walk across campus using bat detectors, providing students and staff with the skills to identify bats and increase their awareness of them. The walk began with a 15-minute presentation introducing bats and the specific species local to the Wandsworth area with time for questions.

Jonathan is a student volunteer and member of the London Wetland Centre’s Engagement team. He has the aim of increasing nature connectedness and fostering communities around it. Also in attendance was Magda Howitt part of the Living Collections team at the London Wetland Centre who provided expertise throughout the night, and Jamie Doran also a student volunteer. The walk was a trial run for further exciting events between the London Wetland Centre and Roehampton to help increase our connections with nature.

'No-Mow May' is an annual UK initiative which aims to provide a greater level of nectar for pollinators, such as honeybees, bumblebees and solitary bees, butterflies and moths, and beetles. By delaying the lawn mowing wildlife have access to nutrient rich plant life for longer periods. This initiative was supported at the University's Whitelands campus.

Dr. Peter Shaw led the first biodiversity tour of campus for staff and students. The tour focused on the University Forest Garden, Orchard and badger setts, providing the group and introduction to key plant and wildlife including naturally occurring fungus such as ‘King Alfred’s cakes’, wild garlic, as well as discussing the complexity of creating a balanced habitat which fosters healthy biodiversity.