As part of Go Green Week 2020, the Grounds Team worked with volunteers from the Student Tree Charter on Wednesday 12th February to plant trees in the Lower Hoopern Valley which runs parallel to the Prince of Wales Road.
A variety of tree species were planted at the joint event including Betula pendula, Scots pine, Prunus spinosa, Alder, Nordmann Fir and Rosa canina.
Great job everyone!
The University’s Grounds staff are very happy to be teaming up with the St David’s Litter Busters Group on Friday 27th April 2018 to carry out a litter pick in the St David’s neighbourhood.
This is our first joint project and we are looking forward to an enjoyable and successful day.
Thursday 25th May 2017 – 9.30am and 1.00pm (two sessions)
Come along and help out with the management of the Hoopern Valley County Wildlife Site (between Prince of Wales Road and the cycleway adjacent to Devon County Cricket Ground). Activities will include litter picking, weed control and cutting back vegetation, to address both wildlife and access issues.
Session 1 – 10.00am to 12.30pm (safety briefing at 9.30am)
Session 2 – 1.30pm to 4.00pm (safety briefing at 1.00pm)
All are welcome, although this is not suitable for children under 16. Please bring sensible footwear and clothing to participate. A safety briefing for participants will also be provided 30 minutes prior to the start of the session.
Please email the if you are interested in getting involved. The Team need prior notice in order to have the equipment and materials available prior to the event.
If you are coming onto campus do have a look at our new walks, taking in some of the amazing water features, both natural and man-made, that we have on the Streatham Campus.
We were very excited to hear the results of the pond dipping, arranged by Dr Clive Betts – Learning and Development Manager and expert entomologist! He said:
Highlights include two huge cased caddises (and a number of smaller ones), some mature mayfly nymphs of three or more species, loads of copepods and daphnia, some large damselfly nymphs, a nymph of the red-darter dragonfly, a huge ramshorn snail, some lovely leeches (but not too many!), and Norman the Palmate Newt! The other headline is the massive decline in the previously dominant detritivore amphipods and isopods, a positive sign that the excessive allochthonous input prior to the pond works is under control… goes to show that a bit of well-judged management goes a long way.
Norman the Newt
Intrepid pond dippers
A big thank you to our plucky volunteers who spruced up the outside areas at Birks and Duryard last months.
Emily and Colin from the Grounds Team recently teamed up with the Exeter Community Police Cadets to improve a derelict area of ground which is to be given to the local community by Exeter Council. The area, between Queen’s Crescent, York Road and Longbrook Street is being developed by the Exeter St. James Forum.
Our team assisted the Cadets in their task of clearing the walls of ivy.
Before
During
After
The Cadets
It’s important to always stay hydrated.
A number of volunteers showed up on the 24th February throughout the day to help plant up the beds in the International Garden.
Before
Hard at work
Our next volunteer day is on Tuesday 24th February, between 9.00am and 3.30pm, although volunteers are free to turn up at any time throughout the day.
The volunteers will be needed to help with the planting and need to provide their own gloves and will need sturdy boots. Grounds will provide any other equipment needed.