Biodiversity
Go Green Week Event - Bird Ringing
Bird Ringing: Live Demonstration
Come along and watch the Sorby Breck Ringing Group ring some of the birds who visit our feeders on Kedleston Road.
Date: Wednesday 13 February 2013
Where: Bird feeders by T Block
Time: 8 am (it's an early start but will be very worthwhile!)
Bird Ringing: Lunchtime Talk
If you can't make the ringing demonstration, come along and listen to Ray Knock from the Sorby Breck Ringing Group tell us about his experiences of bird ringing all over the world!
Date: Wednesday 13 February 2013
Where: Dovedale Suite, South Tower, Kedleston Road
Time: 12.30 - 1.30 pm (please feel free to bring your lunch)
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth and includes all species of plants and animals and the natural systems that support them. Biodiversity is a core component of sustainable development and has an important role to play in developing locally distinctive and sustainable communities.
Conservation of biodiversity is vital in our response to climate change and in the delivery of key services including flood, flood management, pollination and provision of clean air and water.
Public authorities such as universities have a key role to play in conserving biodiversity through their work in developing and implementing policies, managing land and buildings, developing infrastructure, engaging with business and the public, conducting research, making decisions about procurement and implementing environmental programmes.
What are we aiming for?
The University of Derby has a duty to conserve biodiversity whilst exercising our functions. We will aim to raise the profile and visibility of biodiversity as well as making it an integral part of policy and decision making.
Why is this important?
We're facing a global crisis. More and more species are facing extinction largely due to human activities and not natural causes. Even species that were very common thirty years ago are now dropping at an alarming rate.
The dramatic decline in common Britain garden birds for example such as song thrushes, house sparrows and starlings, each of which have more than halved since the early 1970s shows that no species is entirely free from the threat.
It is critical that we all play our part in conserving biodiversity which includes restoring and enhancing species populations and habitats, as well as protecting them.
What are we doing?
During 2010 the University undertook an Initial Ecological Audit, the findings of which have been used to develop our first Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).
The Ecological Audit (PDF, 2.41 mb) provides an overview of the types of the habitats and species present on each tutorial site and Sturgess Fields and the BAP (PDF, 1.85 mb) states the measures we will implement over the next 5 years to ensure we conserve, protect and enhance our local environment. We are already making progress by putting up bird feeders, bird tables and bird and bat boxes.
Our work at the University helps support the wider Lowland Derbyshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2011-2020 (PDF,12 mb)
The Winter Edition of Derbyshire Biodiversity News (PDF 494 kb) is now available featuring:
- Local Nature Partnership success
- Moors for the Future
- Lowland Derbyshire 2012 Forum
- Elms for White-letter hairstreaks
- Consultation on wildlife legislation
- New LNR for Erewash
- iSpot
- PlantTracker
- Conker Tree science
- Allestree Park
- New fungal threat to ash trees
Kedleston Road
To add a bit of colour to the Kedleston Road Campus the Environmental Services Team, Grounds Team, UDSU President and the University of Derby Chaplain planted some bulbs one frosty morning in December 2012.
Oaklands Manor
We have undertaken an arboricultural survey and an ecological assessment of the 58 acre site to understand both the ecology and biodiversity.
In support of this work a number of students based at Oaklands Manor will be undertaking survey work over the summer of 2013, as part of the WildVolunteering Scheme, to determine the species present. This data will be of great importance and will ensure that the site is managed effectively.
Bees
For the second year running, the University of Derby has sponsored a bee hive (PDF, 242 kb) in the Midlands area by working in partnership with the British Beekeepers Association. Their factsheet (PDF, 629 kb) provides a very useful overview of the honey bee.
Tree Survey at Sturgess
We have carried out a Tree Survey at Sturgess Fields to assess the health and safety of the woodland areas but also identify areas where we could plant additional trees to enhance biodiversity. Recent works at Sturgess has included making improvements to existing footpaths. Bulb planting has taken place to ensure that next spring, this area is awash with colour.
What can you do?
If you are interested in getting involved with any element of the biodiversity agenda at the university, please contact the Environment Services Team on Ext 1093.
For more information about biodiversity in Derbyshire visit www.derbyshirebiodiversity.org.uk.
