SDG 15 Life on land - Durham University

Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability

An icon showing a graphic of a tree with three birds flying near

Examples of our actions towards SDG 15 Life on Land

Conservation & biodiversity are key factors in the maintenance of the Botanic Garden. Pesticides are not used in the garden & a flock of rare breed sheep are used to graze our arboretum and wildflower meadows. We are also committed to improving the quality of our environment through our strategy

Conservation and Biodiversity - botanic garden Our biodiverity strategy

Research

We’re driving government policies on soil health, resurrecting wastelands using novel technologies and educating people about the importance of soil health on our lives. Professor Karen Johnson’s research in our Department of Engineering, has led on the award-winning development of low-cost sustainable technologies to remediate pollution in urban soils.

Highlighting the importance of soil health

Living the Values

We're a Hedgehog Friendly Campus. We successfully gained the Gold Accreditation from the Hedgehog Preservation Society for the Academic Year 2022/23. We are now working on attaining the Platinum award! Our comprehensive Biodiversity Strategy, with a target to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain by 2032, has been recognised through the Green Gown Awards, where we were showcased as finalist for 2023 in the Nature Positive section.

Learn more about our work

Wider Student Experience

The Durham University Student Volunteering and Outreach (DUSVO) is the home of student-led,community-focused volunteering at Durham University. DUSVO executives develop volunteering opportunities for students through working with community partners and organisations. There are a host of environmental projects such as the environmental club, where our volunteers conduct informative workshops with primary school students to help educate about the environmental issues facing our planet today

Find out more about the DUSVO projects

Local and Regional

We are a partner of the Environment & Climate Change Partnership, it has representatives from public, private, voluntary and community sector organisations from across County Durham and the wider North East region. The group use their shared knowledge and skills to find innovative solutions to environmental issues which affect County Durham.

Find out more about the County Durham Environment & Climate Change Partnership

Nature Positive Green Gown Award 2023

We have been recognised in the Nature Positive category at the 2023 Green Gown Awards for our Biodiversity Strategy. Our Strategy is the culmination of many years of work by our staff and students. We have an enviable green and biodiverse campus, with fascinating wildlife on the doorstep of almost all departments and colleges. To be presented with this award highlights the continued efforts of our university community to protect and restore the biodiversity across our campus & surrounding areas.

Find out more about our Nature Positive Green Gown Award

More examples of our work towards SDG15

Educational programmes on ecosystems

Durham University is proud to offer educational programmes that emphasise the importance of protecting our ecosystems. Additional information on programs covering wild flora, fauna, and topics in science and conservation offered by our award-winning Durham Botanic Garden can be found below.

Durham University - Botanic Garden What's Here

The Friends of Durham University Botanic Garden

Guided Nature Walk - Durham University

Flowerfulness - Durham University

Plant Labels - Durham University

Science in the Garden - Durham University

Sustainable management of land for agriculture and tourism (educational outreach)

Durham University offer educational outreach to support the management of land for agriculture and tourism through the SMART Soils programme. Current developments will take the pioneering research from our academics, with the SMART Soils Lab enabling environmental engineers and plant scientists to design soil and plant restoration technologies which can optimise the services that soil can provide for us all.

SMART Soils - Durham University

SDGs - Durham University

SMART Soils Law SRF Award - Durham University

A Celebration of World Soil Day and Launch of the SMART Soils SRF project - Durham University

Educational outreach on sustainable management of land for tourism

Durham University is dedicated to advancing formal policy and raising public awareness on soil biodiversity, emphasising the importance of treating, restoring, protecting, and nourishing soils globally to support sustainable land use, including tourism.

The award-winning SMART Soils Lab team has contributed to decision-making through reports on soil biodiversity for audiences at local, regional, national, and international levels. Through accessible, practical, and informative educational outreach, Durham University aims to empower local communities with the knowledge and tools to sustainably manage soils, supporting both agricultural sustainability and tourism.

Rebuilding Soils for Net Zero? Workshop - Durham University

SMART Soils - Durham University

Unlocking the secrets of soil - Durham University

Soil - Durham University

SDGs - Durham University

A Celebration of World Soil Day and Launch of the SMART Soils SRF project - Durham University

Sustainable use, conservation and restoration of land (policy)

Durham University upholds a policy dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems linked to the University, including forests and drylands.

Our Botanic Garden follows a policy focused on preserving natural forestry, implementing sustainable practices that protect native woodlands and local biodiversity. Restoration efforts are undertaken as needed, in alignment with the University’s overarching Enhancing Biodiversity Strategy. The commitment to sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems is a core element of our Enhancing Biodiversity Strategy (2022-2032). Further information is available in the links below.

Botanic Gardens Biodiversity Policy

Durham University Enhancing Biodiversity Strategy (2022-2032)

How Durham University's research helps to safeguard the environment