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SDG15: Life on Land

Northumbria is supporting biodiversity and life on land not only through management of our own campus and work with local partners, but we are also making significant impacts though our research expertise and engagement. This page outlines specific policies, processes and practices that support SDG15: Life on Land.

Events About Sustainable Use of Land

Northumbria support, host and organise events aimed to promote conservation and sustainable utilisation of the land, including native, wild land and forests. Northumbria has ongoing events and programmes related to nature and sustainability, including activities like regular litter picks in support of our hedgehog friendly campus, and reuse workshops, as well as research-based events and talks.

Recent examples of our nature educational outreach include:

Wild Roots Garden in the Ouseburn: pond dipping with primary and secondary age youngsters, some of them from special needs provision or teenagers not in school

BALTIC Climate Club: Hotspur school and collage workshops.

Farrell Centre Concretopia: working with Byker Primary school leading to exhibition of maps of children's lives.

Royal Society biodiversity project: working with Percy Main School, via NUSTEM as organisers.

General public field work, primarily pond dips - We run public pond dips with a range or organisations including the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Natural History Society of Northumbria and the  Freeman Hospital.

Public talks, workshops and walks- we do these regularly with the likes of Wildlife Trust, NHSN, Lit&Phil, Ouseburn Trust

Our series of events on 'Connecting People with Nature in our Cities' considered how, in working more closely together, we might amplify our shared efforts of promoting conservation and increasing the nature we have in our cities, and people’s connections with our cities’ nature.

As part of our public lecture series, our ‘Concrete Jungles? The value of cities for biodiversity’ considered how the majority of the world’s population now live in cities. Continued urbanisation is threatening sustainability and contributing to the biodiversity crisis. Traditionally, urban areas have been seen as concrete jungles only capable of supporting depauperate fauna and flora  (think rats, pigeons and weedy plants). The event explored the findings of recent research that disputes this view, drawing on UK and global scale studies to reveal the true value of urban areas for biodiversity, and the value that this urban nature has for people.

Maintain and Extend Current Ecosystems’ Biodiversity

We are committed to maintain and extend existing ecosystems and their biodiversity both on our campuses and within the wider community. Through our Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), we are conserving ecosystems under threat, ensuring that both plant and animal species can thrive in an urban environment.

Our BAP establishes ecological baselines and realistic recommendations for biodiversity gains, with measurable targets to improve biodiversity value over time. It supports the goals set out in our Environmental Sustainability Policy, including increasing areas of medium and high-value biodiversity across our estate.

We integrate biodiversity enhancement into all stages of campus developments, including green roofs and walls, sustainable drainage systems, pollinator-friendly landscaping and tree replacement planting. This approach ensures net gains in green infrastructure, supporting local wildlife species, pollinators and bird and bat populations. Recent projects include the creation of pocket parks and our large-scale campus redevelopments will achieve a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain.

The Biodiversity Strategy, detailed in Section 4 of the BAP, focuses on protecting vulnerable ecosystems and species, with targeted actions such as supporting the UK’s declining hedgehog populations. Measures include the installation of log piles across campus to create insect habitats, which in turn provide vital food sources for hedgehogs and other wildlife. We also support endangered hedgehogs through our work to support our Hedgehog Friendly Campus Gold Award.

Our annual biodiversity goals include introducing new pollinator species in the Ellison Quad and monitoring their impact on bee populations, ensuring that progress is both data-driven and measurable.

Our BAP has set ambitious biodiversity targets to be achieved by 2029, including:

Implementing a university-wide Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP)

Achieving a 10% increase in biodiversity units

Increasing hedgerow units by 20%

Removing invasive species across the City Campus

Creating 100 new habitats for urban species such as hedgehogs, bats, birds, and invertebrates

Continuing to act as a Hedgehog Friendly University by enhancing habitats and connectivity across the estate

Our Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) requires low-impact maintenance methods are used across campus, including:

Prioritising non-chemical weed control methods such as mulching and hand-pulling

Avoiding fertiliser use to prevent nutrient overloads that harm species diversity

Carefully scheduling maintenance to prevent disturbance to protected species such as breeding birds and hedgehogs

Reusing wood and deadwood to create wildlife refuges in scrub or woodland areas

Regularly monitoring and removing invasive species, litter, and fly-tipping to maintain ecological health

The University Sustainability Management Group overseas the implementation of the BAP and HMMP, with progress on biodiversity reported in the Annual Sustainability Report.

Our researchers are also working directly to support habitats around the world, especially eco systems under threat. They have published evidence that mangrove forests, which protect tropical and subtropical coastlines, are . The rising sea level has led to some Maldivian islands losing over half of their mangrove cover since 2020. The findings reveal the vulnerability of mangrove ecosystems to rapid sea-level rise and highlight the need for urgent adaptive conservation strategies in small island developing states.

Educational Programmes on Ecosystems

Northumbria offers a number of free educational programmes and outreach on ecosystems for local and national communities on flora and fauna through our research centres. The University has partnered with various organisations to deliver events aimed to promote conservation, restoration and sustainable utilisation of the land, as well as to maintain shared land ecosystems. Locally, Northumbria staff and studentsworked with Urban Green, a local charity who maintain the parks and allotments across our city community, to develop educational programmes for engaging children in co-designing local parks in ways which would help pollinators to thrive. The project saw our students working with local children aged five to seven years old as part of an learning programme based around a character called Buzzy the Bee, which introduces youngsters to the bees and how wildflower hot spots may help encourage more bees and pollinators.

Recent examples of our educational outreach include:

Wild Roots Garden in the Ouseburn: pond dipping with primary and secondary age youngsters, some of them from special needs provision or teenagers not in school

BALTIC Climate Club: Hotspur school and collage workshops.

Farrell Centre Concretopia - working with Byker Primary school leading to exhibition of maps of children's lives

Royal Society biodiversity project: working with Percy Main School, via NUSTEM as organisers

General public field work, primarily pond dips - we run public pond dips with a range or organisations including the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Natural History Society of Northumbria and the Freeman Hospital.

Public talks, workshops and walks – we run these regularly with the likes of Wildlife Trust, NHSN, Lit&Phil, Ouseburn Trust

Nationally, our Geography and Natural Sciences academics helped deliver 'Farming for Carbon and Nature', a project led by Students Acting for Sustainability (SOS-UK), the environmental arm of the NUS. The project conducted biodiversity surveys and improvements at over twenty five universities across the UK, teaching and training students, university staff, local farmers and other members of the community in how to best manage university farmland and estates for both biodiversity gains and carbon capture, and how to evaluate and improve sustainable land management under climate change scenarios.

Educational Outreach for the Sustainable Management of Land

Agriculture

Northumbria provides educational outreach for the sustainable management of land for agriculture through community initiatives, partnerships with local and international organisations, and other learning opportunities. The university ensures its expertise is shared effectively with both students and the broader community, through seminars and our free public lecture programme.

Within our academic structure, Northumbria integrates sustainable land and agricultural management into educational programmes and modules. All graduates receive education on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the university's Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) initiative. Within the curriculum, the Environmental Science (Extended Degree) includes modules on sustainable development, which explore how sustainability principles can be applied to both urban and rural land management within the local area, such as the Newcastle-Gateshead conurbation. For postgraduate students, the MSc in Disaster Management and Sustainable Development offers modules on themes like environmental change and natural resource management, using case studies from developing nations to illustrate practical approaches to food security and sustainable development. These programs are designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to address real-world environmental challenges.

Northumbria also engages in outreach on sustainable farming through its Food and Nutrition research group, which works with food industry partners to support innovation in the food supply chain, informing its teaching and contributing to a more sustainable land management and agricultural practices.

At a local level, Northumbria operates the Green Zone Allotment on campus, offering hands-on learning where students and staff can grow their own fruit and vegetables. Greenzone is a hub for projects that support biodiversity and connect people with nature, for instance, by installing our bug hotels and fruit trees that benefit both people and wildlife. We also support the local food system with locally and seasonally sourced produce through our catering services. We have partnered with apps like Too Good To Go and Olio to reduce food waste by selling discounted surplus food to the local community. Locally, Northumbria researchers have conducted studies on soil quality in urban allotments across Newcastle, providing valuable data which influenced national soil guidelines.

Beyond campus, Northumbria extends its outreach on sustainable land management through various collaborations. Nationally, our Geography and Natural Sciences academics helped deliver the 'Farming for Carbon and Nature' educational programme, a project led by Students Acting for Sustainability (SOS-UK), the environmental arm of the NUS. As part of the project, we conducted biodiversity surveys and improvements at over twenty five universities farms and estates across the UK, teaching and training students, university staff, local farmers and other members of the community sustainable land management practices, including how to best manage agricultural land for both biodiversity and carbon capture, and reducing emissions.

Working with local authorities, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), the National Trust and industry experts, Northumbria academics have developed an educational toolkit on renewable energy which provides clear and accessible guidance for local farmers interested in developing local scale renewable energy projects on their agricultural land in North East England. Advice is tailored for use at a local level, prioritising individual farms or smallholdings, and takes into account the region’s agricultural energy needs, considering not only electricity generation, but also heat, energy efficiency, and energy storage. The toolkit is the product of a series of online and in-person workshops at 51����.

The university's Healthy Living Lab also collaborates with local authorities to deliver Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programmes. These initiatives provide nutritious meals and engaging activities to children and young people, addressing food poverty while promoting healthy eating.

On a global scale, Northumbria’s outreach includes international partnerships and projects. The university has contributed to sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria where we established a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship. This initiative trained local entrepreneurs and students in agricultural techniques, like using bio-gas and sustainable construction methods to manage waste, and introducing sustainable agriculture into rural communities.

Tourism

Northumbria offers a range of educational programmes and community outreach initiatives that promote sustainable management of land for tourism. The University’s approach combines academic teaching, applied research and local engagement to ensure that both students and communities benefit from our expertise in responsible and sustainable tourism practices.

Our Newcastle Business School, recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Institute of Travel and Tourism, integrates sustainability and responsible tourism into undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, ensuring that students understand the social, environmental and economic impacts of tourism. Courses include modules on responsible tourism, destination management and sustainable development, which are informed by research projects and industry collaboration.

Our students regularly participate in consultancy projects and dissertations that address issues faced by local councils, community organisations and tourism businesses. For example, Professor Tom Mordue’s partnership with Northumberland County Council and the Institute of Local Governance evaluated the impacts of onshore wind farms on tourism. Findings from this research have supported local decision-making on sustainable land use and renewable energy development in tourism areas.

Northumbria also work with regional partners to design and implement tourism initiatives that benefit local economies while protecting cultural and environmental assets. This includes work with heritage sites, rural tourism projects and local destination management organisations to improve visitor experiences, develop responsible tourism strategies and promote conservation. A local example, building on a 10-year collaboration between Northumbria, the National Trust, Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust and Gateshead Council, is our participation in project , which feeds outreach programmes for wider land regeneration projects, promoting tourism along the Tyne Derwent Way a 9-mile outdoor trail connecting the centre of Gateshead with the Derwent Valley. As a multi-disciplinary and collaborative project, Flourish aims to promote a more dynamic, creative and cultural environment in Gateshead. Our research includes a broad range of subjects and methods from ecosystem-mapping to urban participatory planning. Researchers are working with a stakeholder group of artists, local businesses and communities, and other cultural sector entrepreneurs to understand the challenges, opportunities and infrastructures they need to promote tourism within the area and help create a flourishing and prosperous town centre.

Nationally, our Architecture Department supports tourism by contributing to sustainable land management and heritage preservation through educational outreach and applied design projects. Their research work support the conservation and adaptive reuse of historic sites such as Manchester Library, Land of Oak and Iron and Seaton Delaval Hall and Gardens. These projects not only enhance public understanding of heritage and place-making but also provide learning opportunities for students and communities on sustainable tourism, building design and site management.

Northumbria’s B-HIVE research group (Business and Humanities Integrated Vision of Engagement) connects tourism, heritage and community engagement through applied research and educational outreach programmes. Our free public exhibitions, workshops and community-based teaching projects developed through B-HIVE and our Business School help local residents, policymakers and tourism professionals engage with the sustainability challenges of managing land for tourism and develop solutions together.