Explore biodiversity on campus!

As a socially responsible University, The University of Manchester’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy (https://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=33155) aims to address prominent environmental threats, such as biodiversity loss. Through Valuing Nature, the University intends to contribute to the wellbeing of the University community, support and protect wildlife, and provide spaces for education and research.

The University community doesn’t just include our staff and students; as an institution founded by and for the people of Manchester, this includes the people that visit our campus spaces.

To help meet our aims, we want to provide an easy way for people to monitor wildlife on our campus. To do this, we are using iNaturalist.

You don’t need to join the project; any observations you upload of wildlife on The University campus will automatically be added to the project site. However, if you wish to keep updated on recent observations or upcoming events, why not become a project member.

To help you get started, we’ve created a quick guide on how to identify and record species using the app (https://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=68551), featuring useful pictures and links.

So far we have identified over 200 species of plants, animals and fungi on campus. Get exploring and help us reach 300 or more!

We hope that in the long-term, the project aids our understanding and appreciation of urban wildlife, fosters environmentally sustainable practice, and helps improve the physical and mental wellbeing of the wider University community.

Keep an eye out for future events where we can explore nature on campus together, such as the upcoming EuroBioBlitz 2023 (https://www.bnhc.org.uk/eurobioblitz-2023). Why not sign up to our ES newsletter by emailing srbmh@manchester.ac.uk or follow our twitter @FBMH_SR to stay updated.

Posted on September 18, 2023 01:46 PM by samlh