Sustainable Safe Grounds Machinery

The Grounds Team are committed to continuously improve our sustainable ways of working and to move away from using fossil fuels. In line with this practice, we have recently invested in purchasing some electric remote controlled mowers.

These mowers are beneficial for several reasons:

Safety – the remote control feature makes it a safer option than traditional mowers. The user can operate the mower from a distance and it can be used to efficiently and safely cut banks and steep areas of grass, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries that can occur when using a traditional mower. The remote control feature also removes the hazard of hand arm vibration exposure which is a serious health and safety concern.

Environmentally Friendly – it is an electric mower, so reduces our usage of fossil fuels. It produces no harmful pollutant emissions and the batteries can be easily and quickly recharged.

Ease of Use – the remote control feature allows the user to mow the lawn without physical exertion, making it easier and safer for individuals.

Efficient – the electric mower is quicker and faster than traditional mowers. It provides constant cutting power, which can lead to a consistent looking lawn.

Cost Effective – the operating costs are much lower than traditional mowers; they require less maintenance and are cheaper to operate.

Noise Reduction – the electric mower is far quieter than traditional mowers, reducing noise pollution on our grounds.

Results – RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

Many thanks to all the University staff and student volunteers from the Exeter and Cornwall campuses who braved a very cold morning to take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch on Friday 27 January.

The volunteers went to five different locations – two on Streatham campus, two on Penryn campus and one on Falmouth campus – and recorded bird species and numbers.

27 different bird species were seen in total and 165 individual birds counted.

Penryn campus boardwalk had most species seen (18).

Falmouth campus Rosehill Gardens had most individual birds (43).

Five red list and four amber list species were recorded.

Blue tits (19), Blackbirds (16) and Woodpigeons (16) were the most abundant birds  overall.

Rare birds such as a Sparrowhawk, Greenfinch, Grey Wagtail and Firecrest were also seen.

See how we compare with the RSPB national results below:

 

 

Tree Planted – Queen’s Green Canopy

The Grounds team are pleased to confirm that a tree has been planted, on behalf of the University of Exeter, as part of the Queens’s Green Canopy for the Platinum Jubilee 2022.

The tree, Fagus sylvatica ‘Rohanii’ has been planted on the lawn by Roborough and is included on the Queen’s Green Canopy map.

The Queen’s Green Canopy, a nationwide initiative created to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, has created a living legacy with over a million trees planted in Her Majesty’s name across the nation.

 

 

Tree-mendous news – over £24,000 raised for local charity Hospsicare!

For the third year running, the University’s Grounds Team have teamed up with local charity Hospiscare to recycle Christmas trees and support terminally ill people and their families.

Volunteers collected trees from households across Devon in exchange for a £10 donation. The trees were taken to the University’s Streatham Campus and chipped by the Grounds Team. The chippings will be used as mulch for the shrub beds on our campuses.

More than 2,000 Christmas trees were collected by 85 volunteers and chipped by the Grounds Team – raising over £24,000 for Hospiscare.

Laura Robertson, Fundraising Projects Manager at Hospiscare said: “This initiative simply wouldn’t be possible without the generous support from our local community and organisations like the University of Exeter donating their time and invaluable services. The money raised from our tree collection and recycling campaign will help us support more local patients and families living with terminal illness, who need us now more than ever.”

Dave Evans, Head of Grounds Operations at the University of Exeter said: “The University’s Grounds Team feel privileged to support Hospiscare once again through the Christmas tree recycling scheme. It’s been a fantastic effort by all involved and we’re proud to be able to provide for our community in Devon, at a time when it is needed most.”

The partnership between the University of Exeter and Hospiscare is in its third year, and together, they have recycled over 4,500 trees with the scheme raising over £55,000 for the charity since it began.

Join Us for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

Join the Sustainability Team on Friday 27 January for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch on Streatham Campus.

Weatherproof clothing advised. Feel free to bring drinks, snacks etc.

Binoculars would be handy, but you can take part without.

If you are a keen birdwatcher/ornithologist and would be happy to lead on identifying birds, please let Chris know.

Meet @ 9.30am outside Camper Cafe, Queens Building.

Depending on numbers, a bird count will take place at three different locations. If the weather forecast is awful, you will be emailed by 8pm on Thursday 26 January to cancel.

Email Chris to sign up or for further details.

Collect Your Free Logs!

The Grounds Team have available logs which are free for University staff and students, on a first come first served basis. You can collect them from Car Park B on Streatham Campus on Friday 16th December between 9am-12pm and on Tuesday 20th December between 12pm-3pm. There will also be another collection date in the New Year.

Each person is able to take one load of up to half a cubic metre, on presentation of a staff or student University Card.

Please note that the logs have been outside, so for safety purposes, will need appropriate drying and seasoning time before use.

Hospiscare Christmas Tree Recycling

 

We are delighted to be supporting Hospiscare’s Christmas Tree Recycling scheme again this year.

If you live in Exeter, Exmouth, Honiton, Tiverton, Sidmouth or Ottery St Mary there’s an easy way to recycle your Christmas tree and help local people with a terminal diagnosis at the same time.

In return for a donation to Hospiscare, volunteers will collect your Christmas tree from your home on Friday 13th or Saturday 14th January. The trees will be brought to the University’s Streatham Campus where our Grounds Team will shred them. The clippings will be used to improve public rights of way and distributed as mulch around our grounds.

Registration closes on Sunday 8th January. For more information and to register, visit https://www.hospiscare.co.uk/events/christmas-tree-recycling/

Bug Hotels Expert Input – BBC Bitesize Article

We are very proud that one of our Gardeners, Colin Brown, has shared his expert knowledge of bug hotels with the BBC which has been included in the BBC BITESIZE article “Four hacks to help our hibernating animal friends this autumn”.

Full article can be read at http://bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z4dq6rd

Well done Colin!

 

M-arb-ellous Upcycled Bench

We have a strong sustainable and biodiversity ethos within the University and the Grounds Team arboristrists practise this as much a possible by regularly creating habitat piles, building bird and bat boxes and protective fencing for new saplings from fallen branches and timber and leaving tree stumps as sanctuaries for insects and wildlife.

Their latest sustainable project was handcrafting a bench from a Quercus rubra (Red Oak) tree that failed in one of our valleys recently. This upcycled bench has been placed by Reed Pond under a Cupressus macrocarpa tree, which provides all day shade, and where it also has great views of the pond.

Upcycled bench

View of Reed pond from the upcycled bench

Upcycled bench is in all day shade, making it a cooling calming spot to relax

Seed Collection Event – Wednesday 9th November 2022

Would you like to be involved in growing the next generation of trees on our grounds and learn about our wide variety of tree species? Then this innovative and exciting event is for you!

Please join our Grounds Team for a Seed Collection Event on Wednesday 9th November 2022 to collect seeds from veteran trees on Streatham Campus. The seeds will grow our next generation of trees, ensuring our beautiful campus continues to support biodiversity in the face of climate change.

You will learn about our wide variety of tree species, the current threats facing our tree population and the importance of seed collection in protecting the future of healthy and biodiverse woodlands.

Please wear suitable shoes and bring waterproofs (if it rains). Gardening gloves will be provided, as you will be picking through seeds and leaves.

Meet outside Reed Hall at 10am.