Every year the University leaves much of its grasslands to grow in May and throughout summer, particularly on the Southern Slopes. Some of this is harvested as a hay crop later in the year or mowed once a year for maintenance and the health of the grasslands. For the first time last year, we included some of our central lawns in a trial as part of No Mow May. You can read more about that below.
We are pleased to announce that central campus will be taking part in No Mow May again this year! We have made some adjustments based on the feedback we received last year. Please follow the link below to find out more about our 2024 plans and to provide any feedback you have about the project.
We are excited to announce that the University has been awarded
a gold at the Wilder Kent Awards 2023 run by Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT).
This award reflects the cumulative work of
the Landscape and Grounds Team, Sustainability Team, Conservation Society, Kent
Community Oasis Garden and BioBlitz Committee to deliver work across our
campuses to support and enhance our natural spaces for wildlife.
Read more about our win on KWT's website or hear about some of our work in the latest Talk on the Wild Side Podcast.
The Canterbury Campus is 300 acres of woodland, grassland, amenity areas and ponds. The Landscape and Grounds Team are responsible for its management, however, we all have a role in protecting this space and the wildlife that we share it with. Please take some time to explore the campus (Coming soon - nature trail information) and make a note of what you see.
It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty, the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.”
For conservation to be sustainable it can't be just about doing the actual conservation work, but doing it in a way that works for people and communities."
The River of Vegetation
The University is fundraising to create a ‘river of
vegetation’ across the Canterbury campus, which will act as natural signposting
to flagship project areas: the Kent Community Oasis Garden and Diamond
Anniversary Orchard.
We aim to create a high amenity and pollen value trail
that acts as a wildlife corridor as well as an education tool, and foraging
trail. The 1st plants have been put in the ground, by the Conservation Society with 9 nut trees now in the new Parkwood Nuttery.
The project is still in its early days, with more info to
follow. Email us if you would like to be kept up to date with project
announcements.
