EAUC Conference Workshop 2006 Practical Projects to Solid Strategies EAUC Conference Workshop 2006 Michelle Dixon, University of Hertfordshire John Hindley, Edge Hill College of Higher Education Martin Whiteland, Cambridge University

Workshop Outline Introduction to the Biodiversity Guide Background Aim of the guide Structure and Section outline A multifunctional wetland: John Hindley, Edge Hill College of Higher Education Planning for Biodiversity, The North West Cambridge Development: Martin Whiteland, Cambridge University Next steps in biodiversity: Over to you

Project Background Inspiration at EMSU conference, 2002 in South Africa Mary Webb and Gillian Cook plot in the back of taxi! Interest gained at EAUC conference, 2004 in Leicester UH awarded funding from HEFCE’s LGM fund, Nov 2004 Scottish Biodiversity Action Grant funding Project team established Bob Gilmour and Mary Webb were given EAUC bursaries to enable them to go to the EMSU 2002 (Environmental Management for Sustainable Universities) held at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa At the end of the 2003 EAUC conference in Edinburgh, after a presentation about the SA trip, inspiration struck and the idea for the Biodiversity Guide was born in a taxi to the airport when Mary and Gillian Cook were high on South African memories! In the next couple of months a proposal for a Guide was written and accepted by the then Executive.

Aims of the biodiversity guide Getting started in practical projects ‘How to’ information Simple tips Best practice examples Basic business case Habitat management Legislation Signposts

Structure and section outline Part 1: The Institutional Context Drivers for Action Benefiting from Biodiversity Making Biodiversity Happen Communicating Biodiversity Part 2: Practical Management General tips on enhancing, maintaining and creating common habitats found on campus. Part 3: Further information The Legal Position Useful Organisations Feedback: info@eauc.org.uk Part 1: The Institutional Context Drivers for Action - a range of background information that will set biodiversity in context and help you start making the case for action at your institution. Benefiting from Biodiversity - how your institution, its staff, students and wider community can benefit from biodiversity on campus. Making Biodiversity Happen - how to start and maintain biodiversity action within your institution. Communicating Biodiversity - how to spread the biodiversity message at your institution and beyond. Part 2: Practical Management Habitat Management Principles Wildlife Gardening on Campus Buildings and Structures Wildflower Meadows Ponds and Other Wetlands Hedges Woodland and Trees Part 3: Further information The Legal Position - introductory information on the law affecting the protection, enhancement and management of biodiversity on campus. Legal experts and/or specialist organisations should be consulted in conjunction with this. Useful Organisations -a selection of specialist organisations to contact for funding, advice and assistance.

Case studies John Hindley, Edge Hill College of Higher Education A multifunctional wetland for biodiversity and drainage Martin Whiteland, Cambridge University Planning for Biodiversity, The North West Cambridge Development Dr John Hindley – Edge Hill College of Higher Education Environmental Manager at Edge Hill College of Higher Education, John’s work covers all aspects of environmental management at Edge Hill including Green Travel Planning and Waste Management. More specifically, he acts as an environmental consultant on new development helping put the environmental case forward both internally and externally. On the wetland project he ensured the design met the criteria for environmental sustainability Martin Whiteland, Environmental Officer, Cambridge University. Again managing environmental issues across the board at Cambridge. Has asked me to say that he is a Chemist by profession so no complex ecology questions! In terms of the The North West Cambridge Development Martin has been the link between the University's Committee for Environmental Management and the Planning Consultants (EDAW) to ensure that environmental / sustainability issues were adequately addressed during the preparation of the masterplan for the site. Martin Whiteland, Cambridge University Environmental Officer at the University of Cambridge, but that I'm a Chemist by profession so don't ask me any questions about ecology.

Next steps in biodiversity The work goes on! Practical Projects to Solid Strategies Get involved. Over to you: How should the EAUC biodiversity agenda progress from here. Who do we need to influence/involve? How do we sell biodiversity to senior managers? What areas do we need to focus on? What other environmental management issues do we need to link biodiversity with? Ideas for new projects.