A number of species on the Scottish Biodiversity List are found on campus, underscoring the ecological importance of the campus and its surrounding areas.
Being a red squirrel campus in partnership with Scottish Wildlife Trust, RGU is actively involved in efforts to protect and support the population of red squirrels on our grounds through the Saving Red Squirrels scheme. Salmon fishing rights are managed with limited rod access, preserving the natural state of the river and bank habitat for numerous species.
As part of our sustainability drive, a number of areas of the campus are now subject to rewilding and/or return to a natural growth habit. Approximately 10% of the previously mown grassed areas have now been converted, increasing biodiversity and the opportunity for improved habitats for bees, insects, etc. In line with our drive to net zero, our petrol-powered kit has been replaced by electric grounds equipment, including strimmers, hedge cutters, chainsaws and leaf blowers.
The University is actively working to preserve the habitat on campus by maintaining the natural state of ‘the island’, managing the conservation of its mature trees, identifying and creating additional areas of rewilding.
The sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) provide wetland environment habitats for a variety of native amphibians and damselflies. The site has been monitored under the National Amphibian & Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS) (until 2019) and its successor, the National Amphibian & Reptile Monitoring Programme (NARMP).
Our campus is home to historically significant tree species with the oldest trees likely to be well in excess of 250 years. The area hosts a diverse range of species. Our most recent tree survey was completed in November 2023, superseding the previous surveys from 2017 and 2013. The survey provided a detailed assessment of the tree population within our site, inspecting and evaluating the condition and risks associated with the campus trees. Specific trees can be identified by over 1,200 tags.
A number of staff and student-led initiatives can be found across campus. These include a community orchard of apples, pears and plums lead by our student group Go Green and funded by the University. Staff continue to volunteer at the ‘garden in the quad’ – a gardening project aimed at increasing biodiversity by providing a space for staff and students to grow plants, herbs and vegetables.