The viability of wildlife depends on the corridors of natural habitat that species travel along to forage, breed and migrate with seasonal changes. 

These are becoming increasingly scarce across the UK and as a result the wildlife that supports the pollination of our crops and the control of pests has declined as well as people’s wellbeing, which is benefited by engaging with wildlife-rich environments.

Wild Campus at the RAU

We support and continue to develop habitats on campus that connect wildlife populations, including rare bat species, birds, butterflies, bees, dragonflies, amphibians and reptiles. We have:

Planted wildlife-friendly species

  • Planted >1,000m2 of wildlife-friendly native shrubs
  • Planted >3,000m2 of wildflowers where insects can forage
  • Planted native species to enhance five existing ponds
  • Planted a small orchard with three different types of heritage fruit trees – plum, pear and apple, further diversifying insect habitat and food sources

Installed bat-friendly lighting

  • Replaced or improved outside lights in line with Bat Conservation Trust guidance

Manage existed lawns and woodland to improve wildlife habitat

  • Diversified four hectares of lawn, leaving long frass, providing further food sources and cover
  • Thinned woodland to provide better habitat for bats, enhance ground flora and create refugia for small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and bugs 
  • Planted a small orchard with heritage fruit trees, further diversifying insect habitat and food sources
  • Installed 150 bat boxes, swift boxes, owl boxes and house sparrow terraces to enhance roosting and nesting opportunities
  • Made five hedgehog shelters and five reptile and amphibian hibernacula 
  • Made bee hotels for solitary bees

Our Estates team continue learning, alongside our students, how to manage and care for these habitats, further enhancing our biodiversity on campus. We also have collaborations with local businesses, including Knight’s Beekeeping, who look after our bees.

 

Blood vein moth, taken by Liam Collins

 

Pyramidal orchid, taken by Ruth Rudwick

 

Common lizard, taken by Bec Elton

 

Two female slow worms, taken by Bec Elton

Background to our Wild Campus

Wild Campus Cirencester was a European Regional Development Fund funded project, which we ran in partnership with Cirencester College, between 2020 – 2023. 

The project focused on enhancing the habitats within the 60-hectare ‘education’ quarter on the west side of Cirencester, to particularly benefit bats and other rare and protected species as well as the wellbeing of the local community. 

As part of the project, the project team carried out a variety of community outreach activities to engage and share experiences with other academic institutions as well as local business owners. Activities included conducting school visits and on-site tours to raise awareness about the need for biodiversity.

Our Wild Campus today is the continued legacy of this project. 

Find out more 

For more information about our Wild Campus, email wild.campus@rau.ac.uk. 

As you walk around campus, look out for our Wild Campus Cirencester information boards, communicating our activities. 

Students can get involved with supporting our Wild Campus through the RAU Conservation Society. Find out more about our Clubs and Societies here.

Our Wild Campus also provides an invaluable practical teaching tool, particularly for our Environment courses, where students have been able to get involved in building and monitoring hibernacula. Find out more about our Environment courses here.