Biodiversity

The University of Liverpool estate is extremely diverse and supports a wide variety of habitats and ecological diversity, including built urban environments, amenity land, woodlands, pastures and agricultural land, formally landscaped grounds and a botanic garden. By preserving these we are contributing to human wellbeing and conserving existing ecological and biodiversity resources on campus.

Learn about our diverse estate, some of the projects that contribute to our vision for biodiversity, and discover how you can help to protect and preserve it at the University.

The Biodiversity Action Group's objective is to be a species and habitat-rich campus, supporting biodiversity to thrive by enhancing the quality, extent and management of green spaces across our University estate.

Ness Gardens Virtual Tour: The Mediterranean Bank

Explore one of our most colourful and vibrant areas of the University's Ness Gardens, the Mediterranean Bank. Packed with an array of specimens and always a family favourite.

Ness Gardens

Ness Gardens is host to a wide variety of amphibians, birds, insects, mammals and reptiles, producing a diverse system of ecological niches, making this a fascinating place to study, work and visit. Visit the gardens to learn about the history of the gardens and increase your knowledge of biodiversity with gardening courses, creative workshops, school visits, and creative courses which allow participants to gain a nationally recognised RHS qualification.

Hedgehog friendly campus

We are a gold accredited member of the Hedgehog friendly campus scheme which aims to raise awareness of the plight of hedgehog, while taking practical steps to improve habitats and circumstances for them across university campuses. The project is funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. A project group, made up of a diverse range of departments and teams across the University work together to undertake a number of initiatives and have been instrumental in the rescue of many hedgehogs.

Relaxed mowing regime

The University recently embarked on a trial of a relaxed mowing regime for three large grassland areas on the main campus. By reducing mowing it has allowed meadow vegetation to develop that in time will support a wide diversity of plant and animal species. This large trial was initiated by the Biodiversity Action Group and extends pilot work by the Green Guild and Central Teaching Lab staff who created a small wildflower meadow close to the Materials Innovation Factory.

1,000 tree campus

As part of the University’s vision for a greener future, the Masterplan Estate Strategy 2026+ includes a pledge to plant 1,000 trees on campus, and to create a brand new University Park on campus opposite the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, together with plans to revitalise existing courtyards. This, alongside investment in sustainable travel options, will reduce traffic and pollution around the University: a win for both sustainability and the wellbeing of staff and students.

Guild of Students

The Guild provide students, staff and the wider community with many opportunities to get involved with biodiversity on campus, such as volunteering and social enterprise projects where people can learn a whole host of new skills, such as growing your own food, aquaponics and beekeeping!

Biodiversity supporting SDG 15

Sustainably combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss. Discover how our activities across all our research, teaching and campus operations support Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.