Swansea University

Buzz across the Bay

Our two campuses are located five miles apart on the shores of Swansea Bay, linking the city with the wider environment to the east and west. This gives a unique opportunity to create stepping stones for wildlife into and through the city. Buzz across the Bay is about maximising their potential as wildlife corridors to help deliver more resilient ecosystems in the face of climate change as well as creating better habitat for humans: students, staff, and the wider community.

Working with the University community has created opportunities to get involved in the creation of wildlife habitat and monitoring the results. As well as developing skills and knowledge this also benefits wellbeing for all involved – in fact the project delivers on all five ways to wellbeing.

Although the main focus is on pollinating insects, this project also helps to tackle the wider decline in biodiversity and is part of our successful bid for our Hedgehog Friendly Campus gold and Green Flag awards.

What the Judges Thought

Judges were impressed by the clear, measurable impacts achieved by this project undertaken at Swansea University. They provide a valuable example for how to engage a diverse range of stakeholders in co-creating this work.

What it Means to Win

“Winning this Green Gown Award is a significant recognition of our collaborative and continued work to create sustainable campuses for our students, staff and community. Resilient ecosystems need action on a wide scale and I hope that our achievements will serve as an inspiration for others, far beyond Swansea Bay.”

Professor Paul Boyle, Vice Chancellor

Top 3 Learnings

1. Wildflower verges are more popular than mown ones with people as well as insects!
2. Look beyond the campus when enhancing biodiversity – the University is part of a wider environment.
3. Working with the right partners can provide multiple benefits and deliver far, far more.