It's nearly Spring
Signs of Spring are cropping up all over the Estate, with daffodils, crocuses and budding blossom. We've seen lots of wildlife pairing up, including Swans and Kingfishers at both Riseholme Park and Brayford Pool. We've even had a Merlin spotted at Riseholme Park this month! We'll keep you updated on any upcoming events...including some birdwatching events that will be open up to the public soon!
University of Lincoln students take on the national University Mammal Challenge
Five students at the University of Lincoln have committed to the national annual University Mammal Challenge run by the Mammal Society. From February 2025, for 3 months, students will be surveying for UK mammals such as foxes, badgers, bats, weasels, stoats, hedgehogs and more on the University estate. The "Lincoln Imps" have successfully completed their first month, logging the most sightings in week 3 of the national challenge!
The team are using mammal survey tunnels, bat detectors, track identification and more to record wildlife and will upload data via the Mammal Mapper App.
Mammals play a vital role in ecosystems, they provide humans with many services that contribute to our health and well-being such as pollination and fire control, they act as indicators of planetary health and can be used to identify conservation needs.
“We have chosen to take part in the University Mammal Challenge 2025, a yearly competition between UK universities and colleges involving mammal surveys, to improve our individual knowledge but also to raise awareness in our community of the importance of mammals in the environment.
We’ll be concluding fortnightly surveys on the Riseholme campus, using footprint tunnels, camera traps and acoustic surveys as well as completing weekly challenges such as hosting mammal-related events and fundraising for the Mammal Society. You’re able to help by downloading the Mammal Mapper app and logging any mammals you come across, don’t forget to add our team name, #LincolnImps, in the comments. We’ll keep you updated on our progress throughout the challenge.”
The challenge raises awareness about the importance of protecting UK mammals, which have declined by 26% since 1970 according to the State of Nature report 2023.
The next SDG Teach In will be from March 1 to March 31 2025
The SDG Teach In is a campaign to put the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and therefore sustainability, at the heart of all stages of education, and across all disciplines. This annual campaign calls upon educators to include the SDGs within their teaching, learning and assessment during the campaign (and beyond!).
Big Garden Bird Watch
Thank you to the 30 people who came along to our Big Garden Bird Watch! We were thrilled to have you along - and many thanks to our NPU and RSPB Student Ambassadors, Michael and Grace, for running this event.
A great mix of students, staff and members of the public attended two sessions - we're thrilled that you're so enthusiastic about birding on campus and will be launching regularly birding sessions this term! Follow @uolestates on Instagram for updates.
We were fortunate enough to see 3 Kingfishers during the sessions, alongside Swans, Moorhens, Wrens, Blackbirds and more.
These events will be open to staff, students and the public. No need to book - just turn up!
Third Student RSPB trip after second trip success!
Michael, in his role as RSPB Student Ambassador, is on a roll, organising a third trip to a national nature reserve after the resounding success of two nature reserve trips so far this academic year!
View Michael's video round up of the last student trip via the button below!
These trips are organised by Michael and the local Lincoln RSPB group. At a bargain price of £16, University of Lincoln students are invited to join them on different trips to nature reserves in the county.
Students do not need to be on a related nature course, just have a passion for wildlife!
If you're interested in visiting Cley Marshes on Sunday 16 March, please drop Michael or Grace an email below.
Simpler Recycling is coming!
The way we dispose of waste is changing.
From 31 March 2025, new ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation means that we need to make two changes to the way we segregate waste on campus. The legislation applies to all businesses (of more than 10 people) in England. Key drivers of the legislative changes are to improve national recycling rates, and to reduce contamination of recycling.
Separate food waste collections will be introduced across campuses, dividing food waste from other waste we produce on campus. In practice, this means that we will be introducing a food waste bins in academic building kitchens and catering outlets.
All food waste should be placed in the food waste bin (which will have a liner inside) – this includes tea bags, coffee grounds, banana skins, food leftovers etc. No food packaging or coffee cups (even if they are compostable) or liquids should be put into food waste bins.
Food waste caddies will be introduced in university accommodation from September 2025.
There will also be glass recycling bins around campus. Glass must not be disposed of in the mixed recycling bin, it must be segregated from other waste.
Bins for general waste (to dispose of coffee cups, contaminated* food packaging) and for recycling (for paper, card, clean plastics, metal cans etc) will continue to be in use.
*Contaminated food packaging means packaging that has food on it, e.g. a pizza box, or microwave meal plastic container.
A Simpler Recycling Guide will be released on our website this March to help you prepare.
If you have any questions, please contact the Sustainability Team on environment@lincoln.ac.uk .
Help keep our little city clean!
As part of the Great British Spring Clean, you're invited to join a citywide litter pick on 26 March from 14.00 - 16.00 meeting at the Engine Shed. No need to book, just come along.
Got a question? Get in touch by emailing environment@lincoln.ac.uk