The University’s overarching vision
To deliver a significant and measurable improvement in the biodiversity of the University of Cambridge estate, and the Greater Cambridge Area more generally, in a manner that educates and inspires an appreciation of the natural environment, and that encourages interventions, research and innovation to enhance and protect biodiversity for future generations.
Our targets:
- To deliver our Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), which provides direction for conserving and promoting biodiversity on the University’s estate.
- To use the Biodiversity Baseline to measure future improvements on Biodiversity in Cambridge.
- For our Ecological Advisory Panel of experts to continue to drive forward the delivery of the BAP.
- To continue to collaborate with our partners and stakeholders including the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI), Cambridge University Botanic Garden, the Museum of Zoology, the Wildlife Trust BCN and Cambridge City Council.
Our approach
Biodiversity Action Plan
The University has now published its first Biodiversity Action Plan to provide guidelines for enhancing biodiversity across the University.
Colleges Biodiversity Baseline Summary Report
The University completed a biodiversity baseline assessment, on behalf of the Cambridge Colleges of the University of Cambridge’s College sites throughout the city. The College Biodiversity Baseline Summary Report provides a review of what wildlife is present on College sites across the collegiate operational estate and highlights the diversity of flora and fauna with which our staff, students and local community share these spaces. This baseline data will enable the Colleges to enhance and improve their green spaces for biodiversity and work with city wide partners to improve the city for wildlife on a landscape scale.
Monitoring and iRecord
By joining the Cambridge University and Colleges iRecord activity you can help create a nature-friendly estate. Log in or sign up to iRecord here, and make sure you choose the ‘Cambridge University and Colleges’ activity when submitting any records on University or College land.
The Cambridge Biodiversity Metric
The Cambridge Biodiversity Metric (CBM) is a modified version of the Natural England Biodiversity Metric 4.0 (NEBM) allowing us to quantify and set ambitious targets for biodiversity increases across existing habitats on our estate which exceed those recommended in the NEBM. On this page you can access a summary of the Cambridge Biodiversity Metric, the full document and appendices.
Our Progress
Our annual progress towards our Biodiversity targets can be viewed in the The University of Cambridge's Annual Environmental Sustainability Report.