SDG 15: Life On Land | University of 蘑菇短视频

SDG 15 - Life On Land

We're working to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. Find out how.

Our recent work and impact on SDG 15: Life On Land

aims to protect biodiversity, ecosystems and the natural environment.

Our research spans conservation, ecology, biodiversity, rewilding, environmental genomics and sustainable land management.

Longfield Solar Farm

In an industry first, EDF Renewables UK and Nature Positive announced a long-term academic partnership with our Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) to study the ecological effects of solar farms at Longfield Solar Farm.

This partnership – the first in what EDF Renewables UK expects to be a long-term research programme – will examine the effects large-scale solar farms can have on soil health, fauna, wildlife habitats and carbon flux under and adjacent to arrays.

A field of solar panels with the sun shining on them

Read our comprehensive SDG 15 report for 2024/25

The University signed the??in 2022 - a commitment to start a nature positive journey and develop a plan for action that will result in a net positive impact on the environment and biodiversity. In undertaking this planning, we have pledged to measure, monitor and report on the environmental impacts of all University activities – teaching, research, operations, partnerships and supply chains resulting in our Nature Positive Strategy published in 2024 outlining our targets and key objectives.

We are developing a biodiversity footprint for the whole University, including our activities at St Luke’s and Penryn campuses. A biodiversity footprint is a measure of how much we impact biodiversity via all our activities, not just those on our estates. 蘑菇短视频 academics from the are working with us to carry out this analysis.

We have worked to engage and connect people with nature on our estates, and more broadly. During 2024/25, we have engaged over 770 people at 26 events, such as regular volunteering led by the Grounds team, biodiversity monitoring events, tree planting and information talks and student-led events.

Our FX Plus Grounds and Gardens team at Penryn have secured and planted 290m2 of wildflower turf across appropriate sites. This includes 100m2 of wildflower meadow that was planted in April on Penryn Campus following a collaboration project with the Falmouth University Launchpad team. These have a mixture of native and near-native species which are specially selected to be brightly coloured, attractive and provide resources for pollinators. In addition to this, they have planted an amazing 3,358 wildflower plugs and 120 trees.

Working with our local community we have started our biodiversity enhancements in the Lower Hoopern Valley, including planting over 500 native trees to increase diversity. We are working with the Environment Agency to install nature-based flood management solutions in the Taddiforde Brook, removing artificial structures that reduce connectivity for wildlife and putting in woody flow spreaders and leaky dams. These help connect the brook to its flood plain, slowing the flow during high rainfall, improving water quality and providing habitat for wildlife.

In 2025 our Streatham Campus grounds have been officially recognised as an accredited botanical garden by . We believe our grounds are the only free-to-enter Botanical Gardens in the UK. The campus is home to the National Collection of Azara (a South American semi-evergreen shrub) and includes over 10,000 trees across 141 hectares. We are also proud to host the national collection of Dierama (otherwise known as angel fishing rods).

Kenya study highlights complexity of tree-planting schemes

In January 2025 we reported on our research with smallholder farmers in Kenya, which shows that tree-planting schemes must account for complex local issues and preferences.

Tree planting is central to many countries’ climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation goals, and Kenya alone?plans to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.

Adding trees and shrubs to farmland (called agroforestry) can boost biodiversity, carbon storage, soil health, food production and income. But many tree-planting schemes overlook diversity and promote a narrow range of species.

?– led by the University of 蘑菇短视频 – examined the factors that enable or prevent Kenyan smallholders from increasing the diversity of trees and shrubs on their land, interviewing 620 smallholder farmers in the Kakamega forest landscape in Western Kenya.

We support and organise events to promote conservation and sustainable use of land.

Pint of Science Festival

In 2024, researchers from the University of 蘑菇短视频 and the MET office spoke at venues across the city as part of the Pint of Science festival. Bringing together community members and enthusiastic scientists, the three-day festival continued a tradition of showcasing unique research in a relaxed environment. Events around sustainable use of land and conservation included , which covered topics from exploring the vital role of peatlands in climate resilience to uncovering innovative approaches to nature conservation, and , which covered the vital role of peatlands in carbon sequestration and climate resilience.

Rootstock

Academics from the Centre for Rural Policy Research took part in – a one-day conference bringing together expert scientists and practical farmers to discuss forward-looking, profitable, and sustainable use of land for farming in tune with natural processes.

NetZeroPlus project events

The University of 蘑菇短视频 is a partner on which brings together a number of funded research projects to help build up the knowledge needed in the UK and beyond to deliver net zero emissions by 2050. The University hosted the in December 2024 which covered topics around sustainable use of land, including Sustainable Peatland Management, decision support for tree planting and a session on understanding how much CO2 can be sequestered by planting a given type of trees in a given location and in a given year.

RENEW Parliament

The in November 2024 brought together academics, land managers, and other participants to discuss ideas, interventions, and solutions to biodiversity renewal and the sustainable use of land. The 2024 Parliament offered a unique opportunity to participate in research being led by our??‘mission’ team, discussing together areas of agreement and disagreement around biodiversity renewal whilst working collaboratively towards a shared understanding which we hope will encourage better and fairer land management, and greater efficacy of biodiversity renewal efforts in the UK.

Building environment and health into national strategies

Researchers from the hosted a 5 week international autumn school during October and November 2025, to deliver training modules on nature, biodiversity, and health. Co-designed and delivered with colleagues from the World Health Organization, national leaders from 28 countries attended from across Europe and Central Asia. The event explored how healthy ecosystems – such as wetlands, forests, and urban green and blue spaces – were shown to reduce floods, heatwaves, pollution, and disease, whilst also lowering risks of heat-related, waterborne, vector-borne, and non-communicable diseases. Overall, the projects underscored that investing in nature is a cost-effective, equitable public health strategy to prevent disease, promote well-being, and build resilience to climate and environmental challenges.

In addition to formal events, the University runs a free MOOC – Valuing Nature - available to staff, students and the wider community, which helps attendees learn how to value our natural world.

Collaboration for Shared Land Ecosystems

The University is proud to collaborate with the local community to maintain shared land ecosystems.

蘑菇短视频 Community Garden

The 蘑菇短视频 Community Garden on the University’s Streatham campus brings together, staff, students and members of the community to share skills and promote mental wellbeing. The garden achieved Outstanding when assessed under the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood assessment of community projects with judges praising the collaborative approach, biodiversity and sustainability.

Lower Hoopern Valley

Following local consultation and improvement works in the Lower Hoopern Valley, including designation of the new Right of Way, Friends of Hoopern Valley (FoHV) was formed in 2024 as an unincorporated charity supporting University of 蘑菇短视频’s management of Lower Hoopern Valley as a County Wildlife Site and biodiversity hub. FoHV is made up of student members and local residents and actively collaborates with the University community, hosting events and activities whilst promoting environmental awareness and stewardship of the Valley’s ecosystem. We attended the FoHV AGM to provide an update on previous and future works.

Working with the National Trust

We are working with the National Trust on the ?programme to renew biodiversity through a “people-in-nature” approach. Projects include . Common land, especially upland common land in places like the Lake District, encompasses large?tracts of our most well-loved and ecologically rich landscapes. This makes it key to biodiversity conservation in England.?? Collaboration with partners including commoners, local community organisations and local decision-makers to improve our understanding of the current condition of the common and integrate farmers’ knowledge of the land with environmental data.

We’re thrilled to share that we took home a win at this year's , where our collaboration with the National Trust was recognised in the Strategic Partnership category. The award-winning initiative, 'Shaping Landscapes for People and Nature to Thrive,' is transforming how landscapes are managed, boosting biodiversity and empowering communities to play an active role in caring for the natural world. This partnership is opening doors for more researchers to connect their expertise and tackle urgent environmental challenges during this critical decade for our planet. We were also shortlisted in the Advancing KE Culture category, highlighting our commitment to driving innovation and collaboration across the University.

Working with EDF Renewables UK and Nature Positive

. In an industry first, EDF Renewables UK and Nature Positive announced a long-term academic partnership with the University of 蘑菇短视频’s Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) to study the ecological effects of solar farms at Longfield Solar Farm.

This partnership – the first in what EDF Renewables UK expects to be long-term research programme – will examine the effects large-scale solar farms can have on soil health, fauna, wildlife habitats and carbon flux under and adjacent to arrays.

The research programme began in 2024 and will span across six years.

Educational Outreach: sustainable management of land for agriculture

The 蘑菇短视频 Food Network connects researchers from across the University with third sector organisations, policymakers, interested members of the public and other stakeholders.

Researchers in the network work across the world, conducting research all along the food chain, examining the dynamics of contemporary food systems, the legacy of historical foodways, and the possibilities for healthier, greener, and more equitable food futures.

The network hosts regular events across the year, such as:

蘑菇短视频 Food Network Michael Caines MBE public lecture

(see 蘑菇短视频 Food Network presents: Michael Caines MBE a public lecture)

(Nov 2024) Transforming the Menu: How rediversifying and rebalancing what we eat can lead to a more sustainable, more secure food system.

蘑菇短视频 Food Network talk – Understanding the biophysical processes and extension mechanisms of natural farming

(see 蘑菇短视频 Food Network talk- Dr Sarah Duddigan- Understanding the biophysical processes and extension mechanisms of natural farming)

(Oct 2024) exploring the accuracy and efficacy of Zero Budget Natural Farming public messaging through an interdisciplinary soil and social science investigation, which sought to understand motivations behind the adoption of an agricultural practice projected to reach over six million farmers in Andhra Pradesh by 2024.

蘑菇短视频 Food Network CRPR Seminar – UK farmer framings of biochar

(see CRPR Seminar - Carol Morris & Catherine Price - UK farmer framings of biochar)

(Mar 2025) Agricultural land is anticipated to be one of the main sites of application for biochar. In this seminar, we ask the questions: How is biochar production and application framed by farmers? What do these framings mean for: policy and incentives for biochar application to agricultural land; the role farmers can play in land-based GGR, and in wider transformations required for addressing climate change?

The UK Farmer Discussion Network brings together over 170 independent farming groups across England, Wales and N.Ireland - a unique community of practice homed in the University Land, Environment, Economics and Policy Institute (LEEP). Launched in 2018 to promote open discussion, to enable farmers to debate and consider the current issues facing the sector in a neutral non-political space.

? – South West Water, assisted by University of 蘑菇短视频 researchers, work with wildlife organisations and landowners to promote better water quality. Funding organisations like the Devon Wildlife Trust to employ farm advisors to support farmers/ landowners to farm in a way that’s good for water quality, wildlife, and their bottom line – using less fertilizer, nutrients, and pesticides. It’s a program that benefits water quality, wildlife, and the farmer financially. Broader public engagement through walks, workshops and events has built shared ownership of water and biodiversity challenges across the South West. Wider community engagement is achieved through free public events, educational outreach and communication campaigns that raise awareness of the programme’s benefits and encourage local action and advocacy.

Educational Outreach: sustainable management of land for tourism

Researchers at the University of 蘑菇短视频 are working alongside the National Trust and Forestry England, two of the UK’s largest landholders, as well as a range of project partners including the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, Historic England, National Trails UK, The Heritage Alliance, and National Parks to explore the relationship between the natural and historic environments, and find ways to identify the value that the latter brings, allowing us to make better decisions about management and investment in cultural heritage assets in the outdoors. The project (September 2023 to January 2026) will support the development of a Culture and Heritage framework for decision making by improving the understanding of the value to people provided by culture and heritage, exploring the challenges faced by land managers and contributing to a robust evidence base and best practice guidelines for incorporating culture and heritage into national accounts and tourism management decisions.

As part of the University of 蘑菇短视频’s RENEW collaboration, E (February 2024 to Winter 2024/25) is a project which aims to increase and improve public access to England’s coastline. The aim is to enable visitors to access and travel along the coastline, enjoying the environment, scenery and leisure opportunities whilst protecting sensitive areas. The project is evaluating whether land managers are able to successfully safeguard land issues without unduly restricting visitor access and enjoyment.

The University of 蘑菇短视频 also offers an MSc in Sustainable Business Management: Tourism where students learn about key aspects of tourism management grounded in the context of the sustainability and environmental issues that relate directly to the communities and ecosystems around you and across the world. The course places an emphasis on using highly topical real word case studies, along with the opportunity to engage with live projects. Students benefit from studying in a region where tourism plays a vital role in the local economy with opportunities to be immersed in the local community and explore first-hand the challenges and benefits of tourism.