UEA volunteer project boosts biodiversity for campus wildlife
By: Communications
A volunteer project at the University of East Anglia (UEA) has seen more than 100 native trees planted to support wildlife on its campus.
Hawthorn, rowan, wild pear and spindle are among the species planted across Broad Hay meadows, located between the lake and campus buildings.
Volunteers from UEA’s Biodiversity Heroes initiative have been planting the trees – each carefully chosen for its ecological value.
It is hoped that the scheme will help create valuable scrub habitat and enhance the space for birds, insects and specialist species.
The UEA Biodiversity Heroes programme welcomes staff, students and local residents to participate in regular conservation work – which supports the protection and enhancement of the University’s natural environment.
This recent project was delivered with partner groups, the Yare Valley Meadow Makers and UEA’s Conservation and Wildlife Society, and supported by a donation of trees from Norwich City Council and The Woodland Trust.
Strengthening campus wildlife
Nadia El‑Fakhri, Community and Biodiversity Coordinator at UEA, said: “While scrub may look like a tangle of low shrubs and young trees, it plays an important role in supporting biodiversity.
“Unlike mature woodland, scrub consists of low‑growing bushes and scattered young trees, usually below five metres tall. Despite its modest appearance, it provides essential shelter, nesting sites and feeding opportunities for a wide range of birds, insects and plants.”
By increasing the amount of scrub on campus, the project strengthens the wildlife corridor that links wooded habitats across the valley, supporting the movement and resilience of species.
The new trees will also help the meadows cope with increasingly dry summers by creating patches of shade that benefit both wildlife and the vegetation beneath.
“A particularly thoughtful choice was the inclusion of wych elm, selected to support the white‑letter hairstreak butterfly, a species that declined severely after the loss of mature elms due to Dutch elm disease.”
Reflecting on the project, Nadia continues: “It’s great to see people’s perspectives shifting. More of us are moving away from the idea that landscapes need to be perfectly neat and manicured, and towards an appreciation of the value of the messy edges where wildlife thrives.
“We would like to thank Norwich City Council and The Woodland Trust for their generous donation of trees for this scrub project.
“Additional thanks go to the Yare Valley Meadow Makers, UEA's Conservation and Wildlife Society and Dr Iain Barr for their expertise, enthusiasm and support throughout the planning and planting process.”
Get involved with UEA Biodiversity Heroes
From boosting resilience to nurturing rare species, this recent initiative highlights UEA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing biodiversity on campus.
If you would like to get involved with biodiversity efforts at UEA, please contact Nadia El‑Fakhri at n.el-fakhri@uea.ac.uk.
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