Our Nature Friendly Grounds pilot is underway

A need for nature action in educational ground

This bold new programme has been designed to help universities, colleges and schools transform through an institution-wide approach to biodiversity. Through embedding a nature-positive approach into everyday operations and supporting teams to take guided conservation actions, the programme aims to help restore habitats and help wildlife to thrive.

The UK education estate is estimated to have around 96,000 hectares of land, meaning there is huge potential to contribute to the UK government’s target of protecting 30% of UK’s land through improving educational grounds for nature! There’s also clear student demand for action, with our 2023 research showing that:

86% of students think that all universities and colleges should take action to protect and support nature on their grounds
64% of students think that their university or college should provide opportunities to experience nature.

Following the success of the Hedgehog Friendly Campus awards programme, this new programme continues the momentum on needing to tackle the causes of the biodiversity crisis, while utilising the unique opportunities presented by educational spaces to connect and engage young people with nature.

“Nature Friendly Grounds complements the biodiversity work we are already doing through our Ecosystem Resilience and Biodiversity Action Plan. Our Environmental Sustainability Plan, Sustainable Futures, commits us to delivering nature-positive outcomes. We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate across the sector to promote practical climate action while empowering our students to take a leading role in restoring nature.” – Professor Monjur Mourshed, Dean of Environmental Sustainability at Cardiff University

Our pilot institutions

Pilot participants were specially selected to represent a mix of rural and urban locations across the UK nations, small and large institutions and varying stages of biodiversity progress. We’re excited to share that the 17 participating pilot universities, colleges and schools are:

Universities – Birmingham City University, Cardiff University, Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Loughborough University, Sheffield Hallam University, Swansea University, University of Chichester, University of Strathclyde
Colleges – Glasgow Kelvin College, Kendal College, National Star College, Solihull College and University Centre
Schools – Abernyte Primary School, Alvaston Moor Academy, Laurel Park School, Rowan School, Ysgol Glan Morfa

Each organisation brings different student and staff opportunities and challenges, and valuable experiences that will help shape and create a unique nature engagement programme.

“Through Nature Friendly Grounds, we aim to transform our small urban estate into a living laboratory; demonstrating that any institution can be nature-positive regardless of location or space, while enhancing habitats, supporting species recovery, and giving our students hands-on opportunities to develop the green skills needed for a just transition.” – Sarah Shea, Environmental Sustainability Manager at Glasgow Kelvin College

How the programme works

Following the successful framework design of many of SOS UK’s programmes, Nature Friendly Grounds has an online toolkit, with a guided list of actions and space to log progress and evidence. Staff and students are upskilled and engaged through core activities such as mapping and biodiversity surveying, training and supporting webinars, alongside networking calls to share learnings. Each cohort will run over 2-year awarding cycles to allow for long term changes, culminating in student-led audits and Bronze, Silver and Gold awards based on actions completed.

Institutions begin by completing a range of core operational actions, supporting them to embed nature in their wider operations through baselining, leadership, education, grounds management, strategy and communication. To progress to higher awards, a range Specialist Modules then offers guidance for conservation actions targeting specific habitats and species that link to local and national nature recovery priorities.

“Nature Friendly Grounds provides Birmingham City University with expert guidance to enhance biodiversity across its estate. The toolkit provided through the programme acts as the perfect partner to our Biodiversity Action Plan, providing guidance on how to deliver and evolve our strategic commitment to enhancing nature” – Mark Hopkins, Environmental Officer at Birmingham City University

A collaborative approach

The Nature Friendly Grounds framework was co-created last year with expertise from a range of stakeholders, including an expert advisory group and specialist nature charities.

We would like to extend a particularly big thank you to the following organisations for their direct collaboration with us on creating our Class, Species and Habitat Modules: Mammal Society, Swansea University, Butterfly Conservation, Royal Entomological Society, RSPB and Action for Swifts, People’s Trust for Endangered Species, Plantlife and The Orchard Project!

The full framework is now being tried and tested by our pilot institutions!

“We’re excited to join the Nature Friendly Grounds pilot as we continue our commitment to protecting and enriching biodiversity…The programme will help us balance ongoing growth with the need to safeguard and enhance our natural spaces, while deepening engagement with our students and staff to understand the importance and personal value of nature.” – Kedijah Eaves-O’Connor, Sustainability Project Officer at Loughborough University

Interested in joining?

We’re launching this programme nationally for UK-based educational institutions for the academic year 2026-27.

Register your interest in taking part here