• Keele University is one of just two UK universities and colleges to achieve the highest tier possible in a scheme designed to encourage biodiversity on university campuses.
  
  
• The Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme recognises and rewards universities for their efforts to make their campus more nature friendly.
  
  
• Keele staff, students and partners have worked together over recent years to progress through the ranks to achieve Platinum accreditation.

Encouraging biodiversity

Keele University is one of just two UK universities and colleges to achieve the highest tier possible in a scheme designed to encourage biodiversity on university campuses.

The Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme recognises and rewards universities for their efforts to make their campus more nature friendly, with Keele having worked its way up through the ranks to achieve a Platinum certification.

Throughout 2022, students and staff worked in partnership with Nurture CIC, part of the Mondrem Group, to enhance a site located next to the Keele Observatory. Previously this site was mowed grassland with minimal shrubbery, but working with the Grounds team the group have transformed the site to include a wildflower meadow, seasonal bulbs and a hedge border, in the hope of attracting more species.

Creating a "real-life" example

Alana Wheat, Sustainability Engagement Officer at Keele University said: "I'm pleased to have been able to support the Hedgehog Friendly Campus campaign for another year and to create a ‘real-life’ example on campus. It wouldn’t have been possible without the collaborations and partnerships with students, staff, the on campus residential community, the University Estates and Grounds team, the SU, and many other university departments. A special thanks to Nurture CIC and Ellie-Kay Dawe for giving their time and motivation. I look forward to seeing the site grow and evolve over the next year and beyond."

Strong institutional commitment to sustainability

Professor Mark Ormerod, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost and institutional lead for sustainability, added: "Keele University has a very strong institutional commitment to being sector leading in sustainability across our education, research and knowledge exchange, external engagement and partnerships and our campus and community - and we strive to embed sustainability into all aspects of our campus, operations and community.

"The biodiversity of our campus is very important to us, and our work with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society in this respect is an important element of this. I am delighted therefore that we are one of only two universities and colleges in the UK to have achieved Platinum Award Hedgehog Friendly status for our campus. I would like to express great thanks to Keele colleagues and student volunteers who have shown tremendous energy and commitment in ensuring the success of this project."