Wildlife and biodiversity

A key characteristic of the University of York is our lakeside campuses, that are home to an abundance of wildlife. The evolving landscape is designed not only to provide a beautiful and tranquil environment for work and study, but a habitat capable of supporting an increasingly diverse range of animals and plants.

Wildlife on campus

The development of Heslington East has created a number of new habitats, including areas of wetland, species-rich grassland and native woodland, with the boundary of the site including important retained hedgerows. A survey of flora and wildlife including birds, bats and water vole,s is periodically undertaken to monitor developments.

Our Heslington West campus is located on over 200 acres of parkland centered around Europe's largest plastic-bottomed lake. The University is famous for its abundance of wildfowl, but also hosts a diverse range of other wildlife. A bird sanctuary has been established at the southern end of the lake.

Principles of bio-diversity and wildlife management

In practical terms the management and development of the bio-diversity of our campuses follow these principles:

• We time the type of work we do carefully to reduce the impact we have on species that may be breeding, feeding or hibernating. For example hedge cutting is carried out in the winter months to avoid disturbing nesting birds
• Where possible we substitute chemical pesticides with a cultural control; where we do use pesticides we choose those with the lowest hazard rating
• We practise low intervention horticulture where appropriate, eg leaving perennials to stand over winter to provide food sources
• We reduce chemical usage, eg we use our own composted green waste as fertilizer where possible
• Shrub beds and planting schemes use a variety of species with a range of flowering times and winter berries to provide food for all seasons
• We provide additional shelter for wildlife for example with bird boxes, wood stacks and habitat piles
• A diversity of trees and plants provide different heights and foliage for different types of wildlife
• We manage trees and woodlands to encourage biodiversity for example by controlling invasive non-native species and retaining old trees and dead wood.