Keele University
The Hub for
innovation and implementation of sustainable living
Keele Hub for Sustainability
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Keele University Campus for Sustainability
About Keele University Campus
Keele University Campus is the largest single-site campus university in the UK at over 600 acres (2.5 km²). 62% of students live on campus and many staff do too.
Thus Keele is more of a residential community than other UK universities and therefore it is a good place to put green living principles into practice. In fact that is what four undergraduate students will be doing this academic year (2011/12).
Lakes and Woodlands
Over half the Keele Campus is open space. There are marked trails in the woods and you can pick up an explanatory leaflet at the Sustainability Hub Visitors' Centre or download one here.
Arboretum
Keele's extensive green campus, half of which is already wooded, seems an ideal place for an arboretum. In addition, as much of the campus was the grounds of a stately home, the grounds and trees need to be managed so it makes sense to gain added value by creating an arboretum.
The interest is not just confined to the woods as there is also a large collection of flowering cherries dispersed around the campus and there are guided walks of these in the spring.
Nature Trails
At present virtual nature trails can be followed from the arboretum webpages.
One is of the flowering cherries around the main part of the campus, and then there are three marked trails around the woods, of different lengths.
You can also download the trail leaflet here.
We hope to have a new trail leaflet soon that you can follow from the Sustainability Hub around the woods, to link up with the walks around the lakes.
Campus Living
Students living on campus can now recycle cans, plastic, glass, cardboard and paper and the University is looking into the possibility of collecting food and kitchen scraps for biogas generation. Many student residences have solar thermal hot water which cuts energy usage in those buildings by up to 30%. More information here.
Other Facilities
Green Gym
The woods on campus are a wonderful resource for all students and staff. Taking a walk or a run at lunchtime is a great way to brush away the cobwebs and refocus on your tasks for the rest of the day. The marked trails allow you to find your way around easily. There are also bicycle trails across campus and in the surrounding countryside providing a convenient, healthy and sustainable way to get to work.
