Penryn Campus and Falmouth
Campus
Biodiversity Policy
Falmouth University operates from two main campuses; Falmouth
and Penryn. The Falmouth Campus is managed by its own
dedicated Estates Department. The Penryn Campus, Penryn is
jointly owned and occupied by Falmouth University (Falmouth) and
the University of Exeter (UoE).
The Penryn Campus Estate is managed on behalf of the institutions
by their service provider Falmouth Exeter Plus. In addition the
Falmouth Exeter Plus’ Grounds Team undertake gardens
maintenance at the Falmouth Campus on behalf of the Falmouth
Campus Estates Department. Falmouth Exeter Plus is an exempt
charity wholly owned by Falmouth and UoE.
The Falmouth University Environmental Sustainability Policy
includes a commitment to consult with local groups and engage
staff and students to promote biodiversity on its estate, and to
manage biodiversity in accordance with this Biodiversity Policy.
The Penryn Campus Environmental Policy asserts the Universities’
commitment towards improving overall environmental performance
and includes an aim to ‘maintain the campus grounds in an
environmentally sensitive way, enhancing natural habitats and
biodiversity on the Penryn Campus estate’.
Biodiversity refers to the biological diversity of our planet. It
includes all living organisms and the diverse habitats they live and
thrive in. Falmouth, UoE and Falmouth Exeter Plus are in a position
to actively protect and enhance biodiversity in areas that they own
and manage. The Falmouth and Penryn campus grounds
encompass a wide range of habitats and species, and offer many
opportunities to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
The management of biodiversity is being undertaken with the
following objectives in mind:
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As far as is practicable, to conserve and enhance existing
valuable habitats and to create new habitats across the
Tremough university campus
In partnership with FXU and the Student Union Eco-Society,
to create a Biodiversity Action Plan containing up to date
campus action recommendations, including specialist
treatment and protection measures for known vulnerable
species and habitats e.g. known otter and badger sites
To comply with any relevant UK legislation regarding
biodiversity
To always consider ecological impacts and opportunities for
ecological enhancement of any building refurbishments and
any new building designs or construction activities
To implement the Falmouth and PenrynCampus biodiversity
management principles for Grounds/Estates (attached at
appendix 1)
To seek to work in partnership with environmental groups and
outside organisations, to share knowledge and resources
To seek funding and grants to facilitate these biodiversity
aims and principles
To involve staff, students and the local community in
biodiversity issues through promoting and identifying
opportunities for all to engage in volunteering and educational
activity
To use biodiversity to promote healthy living and wellbeing
through improved outdoor amenity areas
Report annually on performance.
Appendix 1 – Falmouth and PenrynCampus Biodiversity
Policy
Biodiversity Management Principles for Falmouth Exeter Plus
Grounds Team/Estates Department and Falmouth University
Estates Department
1.
Annually review management techniques to reduce the use
of residual pesticides and increase the use of non-residual
and biological/non-chemical control techniques e.g. use of
bark mulch and natural predators
2. Identify and implement specialist treatments/protection
measures for known vulnerable species e.g. otter, badger
and bat sites.
3. Preserve the current practice of putting zero green waste to
landfill
4. Introduce sympathetic management techniques e.g. leave
‘eco-strips’ near streams and watercourses, around
woodland edges, and to create wildflower meadows to
stimulate natural habitats
5. In order to protect nesting sites, no non-urgent felling works
are to be carried out on trees during the bird nesting season
(March to September).
6. Essential hedge maintenance shall only be undertaken after
checking hedges to make sure nesting birds will not be
disturbed by the proposed activity.
7. Leave habitat piles in appropriate areas to provide sources of
food, shelter and hibernation sites.
8. In order to provide habitats for a variety of insect and bird
life, to leave tree trunks standing (provided they are made
safe) or leave tree trunks to decompose on the floor.
9. Erect bird and bat boxes at suitable locations throughout the
campus and ensure they are monitored annually.
10. Continue to maintain beehives on the site.
11. Collect seeds from local native species to produce plants that
are adapted to local eco-systems which can be used for
shelterbelt thickening and woodland planting.
12. Encourage the use of green roofs wherever practicable to do
so.