Biodiversity

The University of Leeds campus is full of opportunities to connect with nature and enjoy our greenspaces.

The Campus Greenery Trail – one of six mini projects, voted for by students and staff following Campus Reimagined Live! 2025 – highlights green spaces across campus and simple ways to enjoy them.  Campus Reimagined Page

Our map brings together guided trails, such as the Campus Tree Trail , with biodiversity monitoring, information boards, opportunities to get involved, and even indoor installations to help bring the outside in!

As you wander around, the Campus Greenery Trail encourages you to engage with campus green spaces in three ways:  1) Take notice of biodiversity and nature 2) Rest and reflect in green spaces and 3) Get involved.

You can find information boards for the greenery trail in Chancellor’s Court, and by Esther Simpson. Around campus, you can also scan the QR codes on waymarkers to check the map and see what’s nearby.

We have three beehive locations on campus - at St George's Field, Laidlaw Library and near the School of Earth and Environment (SOEE).  To find out more see our beekeeping page.

The award-winning Urban Biodiversity Monitoring Programme aims to understand how urban landscapes can be used innovatively to find solutions to problems and aid decision making for campus development.

See here for more ways to connect with the green spaces on campus: Greenery Trail

The programme is open to all and surveys can be completed easily whilst moving around the campus, or as a break from the indoors!  A team of student biodiversity ambassadors lead group monitoring sessions during term times.  To find out more or to join a session email [email protected].

If you want to get involved in our monitoring, please see our guidance sheet on padlet. Additionally, all recordings can be made on our iNaturalist page or through out online form here: Online form

Created by  The Leeds Ecosystem, Atmosphere and Forest (LEAF) Centre, in collaboration with the United Bank of Carbon and The University of Leeds Sustainability Service, our Campus Tree Trail celebrates the value of trees to the people of Leeds and our campus wildlife.

Designed to educate and entertain, the Tree Trail is fun for all ages. The route is wheelchair accessible and guides you around campus, providing interesting facts and exploring some of our most impressive trees.

Check out the Campus Greenery Trail for more ways to connect with the green spaces on campus: Campus Greenery Trail

You can find the details of the Tree Trail, including accessibility information, Google Maps directions, and a printable guide, on the  Campus Tree Trail webpage.

The University of Leeds are signed up to the Hedgehog Friendly Campus initiative, run nationally by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, and are currently at the Gold level of the programme.

Our Student Biodiversity Ambassadors lead the programme on behalf of the University and training and support is offered to anybody wanting to get involved.

If you'd like to find out more, or get involved, please email [email protected]

Peregrines have been using the Parkinson tower for a number of years now and in that time, ten chicks have been successfully hatched.  We have two webcams on the nesting tray, which can be viewed by visiting our main peregrines webpage.

When the Roger Stevens building was first constructed, the site was designed to serve as a 'cooling pond' for the heating systems.  Actually located on a rooftop, until recently, the pond was ornamental and in terms of biodiversity, sterile.

As part of a collaborative living lab research project, the space was developed to create floating islands and submerged planting that can withstand drought if maintenance on the roof should be required.  Monitoring equipment in the pond ensures the habitat is kept optimal for visiting wildlife and supports research and teaching.  In the short space of time since it was redesigned, we already have regular visits from ducks and herons.  Bats have also been spotted in the summer evenings and many invertebrates are now present including dragonflies and damselflies.  Fish were also installed and can be seen swimming beneath the waterlilies, providing a wonderful place to relax and engage with nature.

Check out the Campus Greenery Trail for more spaces to relax around nature on campus: Greenery Trail

First created in 2013, the Sustainable Garden provides the opportunity for students and staff to be involved in growing food at the heart of campus, alongside learning, teaching, research and community engagement.

To find out more or to get involved, visit the Sustainable Garden webpage.

Check out the Campus Greenery Trail for more opportunities to get involved around campus: Greenery Trail

Located outside Charles Morris Hall the Sensory Garden has been designed to provide access for all with wheelchair access and guides for both the visually impaired and blind visitors.

The plants that have been installed are specifically chosen to help with people who are registered on the autism spectrum and provide year-round interest for all to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the space whilst at the same time providing opportunities for wildlife to thrive on the city campus.

Check out the Campus Greenery Trail for more suggestions of greenspaces to enjoy: Greenery Trail