Tag Archives: Get Involved

Big Campus Birdwatch: What We Saw

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On the last Friday in January, Newcastle University joined in with households, schools, and parks for the UK’s biggest citizen science survey, the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

Despite the wind, cold and the threat of rain, participants met in Drummond Quad. We were armed with layers, binoculars, bird ID sheets and patience. The Quad is one of our beloved green spaces on campus, the area is home to some of our biggest trees, some little saplings and even a small pond! Check out our Sustainable Campus map for the location of all our Green spaces.

So what did we see? Here’s a rundown of events:

Eurasion Wren

In the first 60 seconds of arriving in Drummond Quad we spotted a Wren! It was hopping around the pond and surrounding bushes and, unbothered by our presence, continued to do so for the remainder of our watch. We made sure to check it was the same Wren throughout, as not to over or under count.

Carrion Crows and Common Gulls

For nearly the entire time crows and seagulls flew and squabbled overhead and sometimes landed in the treetops of the Quad. When they landed, they got counted. Carrion Crow was our most spotted bird, counting 6 landing in the branches.

A Eurasion Blackbird and a Eurasion Magpie

Amidst the noise from the crows and seagulls we were paid a visit by one Magpie and one Blackbird. The Blackbird was the 6th most spotted bird of the 2026 Birdwatch and 5th most spotted in 2025. So it seemed only right to add one to our count.

Great Tit

Lastly, one of the highlights of the watch was finding two Great Tits. They were spotted darting between the trees near Drummond Building. They are the 2nd most commonly spotted bird of the 2026 Birdwatch!


Overall, despite the weather, it was a success! Thank you to all who came along and helped us organise.

And even though the birdwatch is over, looking after our Biodiversity on campus definitely isn’t! If you ever see a bird, or some wildlife on campus feel free to record it on the INaturalist App. Make sure to join our Newcastle Project page too. If you’re new to the app, our beginners guide blog may be a useful starting point.

P.S. Check our events page to check a look out for more information coming up around our City Nature Challenge this April/ May.

Gold Cycle Friendly Employer Accreditation

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We are pleased to share that Newcastle University has been awarded a Gold Cycle Friendly Employer Accreditation from Cycling UK.

The Cycle Friendly Employer (CFE) accreditation is an internationally recognised standard for promoting active travel in the workplace. Organisations are assessed and can achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold accreditation – and we are proud to have achieved gold!

The assessment looks at everything from an organisation’s cycling facilities and infrastructure to workplace culture and policies, all focused on making it easier for colleagues to cycle to and from work.  

Professor Jane Robinson, PVC of Business, Partnerships & Place and the Executive Board lead for sustainability said: “The Gold Cycle Friendly Employer accreditation recognises the progress we have made to date in enabling active travel at Newcastle University and supports our commitment to be sustainable in all that we do. As someone who regularly cycles to work, I know the difference this initiative has made and hope it will encourage more people to travel sustainably in the future.” 

Some of our key initiatives that contributed to the gold accreditation include: 

  • Our bi-weekly Dr Bike sessions 
  • Our bike repair stands on the city and Helix campuses 
  • Our extensive network of Sheffield stands and secure stores 
  • Provision of the Cycle Scheme 
  • Our partnerships with local charities and organisations that support cycle commuting in Newcastle, including WATBike and Cycling UK 
  • Our active Bicycle Users Group on Microsoft Teams (you can join today) 

Dr Alistair Ford, Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering and member of the University’s Sustainability Committee and Bicycle User Group, said: “The Gold Cycle Friendly Employer accreditation is a recognition of the hard work that the University is doing to enable staff and students to travel sustainably to campus. The accreditation demonstrates great progress but importantly it also requires continual improvement to ensure more colleagues feel able to cycle in the future. We will continue to work on our own campus, and in partnership with the City Council and with organisations in Newcastle, to enable more people to get to work, study, or visit by bike.” 

Find out more!

If you would like to learn more about sustainable travel at Newcastle University, you can have a read of the Sustainable Campus website, email us or give our brand new LinkedIn a follow at NCL_SustainableCampus. 

We look forward to continuing to work with Cycle Friendly Employer so we can learn from the organisation and expand our support for active travel commuters!

SpudFest 2025!

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On Thursday 28th November the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES) hosted SpudFest, transforming the Boiler House into potato heaven. From research posters and company stalls to a potato-printing art station, the event brought together students, colleagues and local partners for a fun and informative day.

Why?

As part of their research, SNES has collaborated with NU Farms to drive innovation in plant and crop science. Every year, University farms Cockle Park Farm and Nafferton Farm grow tonnes of potatoes for research. When harvest season ends, rather than letting the produce go to waste, SNES shares the potatoes with the University community through SpudFest.

Over 1000 people attended the event this year, and over two tonnes of potatoes were given away!

Eat@Newcastle

One of the highlights of the day was the complimentary food samples, courtesy of Eat@Newcastle. The wedges and potato soup were fan favourites, drawing long queues of students and colleagues throughout the day.

Sustainability

Our team had a stand at the event to talk all things sustainability. Alongside us, Annita from Biffa highlighted the environmental impact of food waste with some eye-opening statistics:

  • Food waste contributes to 8% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
  • UK households throw away 4.4 million fresh potatoes every day.
  • Every day, 20 million slices of bread are thrown away. This is equivalent to a million loaves wasted daily!

Top Tips:
To keep your potatoes fresher for longer, store them somewhere cool, dry, dark – and away from onions. If they’re starting to look a little old, boil them for five minutes and freeze them. They’re perfect for roasting later! Also:

Men’s Pie Club

North east charity Men’s Pie Club joined the event to raise awareness of their mission to bring local men together over good food and friendly conversation.

‘It’s all about making pies, having a laugh, and getting to know a great bunch of lads in a relaxed, no-fuss environment.’ – Men’s Pie Club

Find out more about the club, here.

There was also a table to donate food items to the local foodbank! A great way to give back to the community.

SpudFest 2025 brought together research, sustainability, wellbeing and community spirit in one brilliant event. Huge thanks to SNES and Katy Sawyer for organising the event.

We are already looking forward to next year’s celebration of all thing’s potato!

The Great Big Student Beach Clean

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On the 15th of November 2025, a crowd of 68 Newcastle University students gathered by Dove Marine Laboratory, litter pickers and bin bags at the ready! 
 
This group represented an ambitious and momentous cross-club/ society event, with members from 8 different student groups contributing to the pick. 

The effort was also joined by some  Women in Ocean Science and Northumberland Wildlife Trust ambassadors. The collective broke the participants record for Newcastle University society’s litter pick history. 

Along the trail starting in Cullercoats at Dove Marine, across Longsands, and finishing at King Edwards Bay, Tynemouth these litter pickers collected a hefty 56kg of litter! The second to best for weight collected in the society’s history.  

Really good turn out and we got the beaches looking spotless! – Lucy and Freya (Newcastle University Marine Society) 

The Environment and Earth Society concurred the event was an undoubted success: 

“Very rewarding and a fun challenge to try and pick up the most litter” 

“A lovely afternoon spending time outdoors and doing something actively positive for nature” 

“Exciting to be with such a big group of likeminded people!”  
 

The Beach Cleaning Society were overwhelmed with the turnout and support: 

“It was a great way to contribute to keeping our local beaches clean, and collaborating across multiple societies gave everyone an opportunity to connect with likeminded people- was a very enjoyable afternoon despite the cold!”  

“It was an amazing event, and we were very proud with the turnout so a huge thank you to everyone who came to help clean our coastline!”  

 A huge congratulations and kudos to the students involved for the impressive positive impact created. Can’t wait to see what you do next! 

Trees Week Wildlife Wander: What we Found 

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On a snowy November lunchtime, in icy air, colleagues from across the University joined the Sustainability team at Kings Gate stairs for a tour of the trees. Despite the unfavourable conditions the group remained undeterred, donning layers to shield the cold and a particularly brilliant array of hats. Once participants had a chance to download the iNaturalist app and join the Newcastle University Campus Biodiversity Network, we were off! 

Our loop around campus took us past the Arches, Quadrangle, entrance to the Courtyard Cafe, Claremont Quad and across Claremont Road into Drummond Quad before returning to Kings Gate. If you want to check out some of these Green Spaces have a look at our Sustainable Campus Map! 

In total 39 new observations were recorded on our Campus Project Page across the Winter Wander. This comprised of 32 different species: 1 bird, 1 insect, 2 fungi, and 28 different plants (of course plenty of trees).  

Here are some highlights (top 3 trees and 2 special mentions):  

1. Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)

Arguably one of the most iconic trees on campus, it’s the weeping willow that sways over the Fine Art entrance beside the Arches.

Captured on campus by
iNaturalist user smah1
Reference image from iNaturalist website

2. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) 

Also known as the “maidenhair tree” it is found in the Quadrangle. Native to East-Asia it was historically known as “silver fruit” or “white fruit” in Chinese. Due to a centuries old transcription error, it got the name “Gingko”.  


Captured on campus by
iNaturalist user steph50665

Reference image from iNaturalist website

3. Common Yew (Taxus baccata)

This festive looking tree, adorned with striking red berries is not to be messed with. This old-world species of evergreen tree is completely poisonous, apart from the red flesh of the berries (although the seed inside is). 

Captured on campus by
iNaturalist user olivia_______ 
Reference image from iNaturalist website

4. Jelly Ear Fungi (Auricularia auricula-judae) 

These gelatinous looking fungi were spotted on a branch in the Quadrangle.  

Captured on campus by
iNaturalist user carys2030
Reference image from iNaturalist website

5. Dunnock (Prunella Modularis) – carys2030 

Photographing any bird is tricky! But one walker managed to snap a photo of this little Dunnock hiding out under the bench outside the Old Library.  

Captured on campus by
iNaturalist user carys2030

Reference image from iNaturalist website

Thank you to all who joined us and contributed to the observations, laughs and impromptu litter pick! We look forward to seeing more iNaturalist spots over the Winter months.  

Introducing your 25/26 NUSU Ethics & Environment Rep!

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It’s a new academic year! And that means many things, including newly elected NUSU student representatives. I had the joy of catching up with the new Ethics and Environment student rep and asking all about the role and their hopes for the year ahead. Read on to listen into our conversation.

Hi Eleanor! Could you tell me a bit about who are and your experience at Newcastle University so far?
Hi, I’m Eleanor and I’m this year’s Ethics and Environment rep at NUSU! I’m a Stage 4 student studying for an Integrated Master’s in Earth Science. I’ve really enjoyed my course because it’s so varied, I can’t believe I’m in my Master’s year now. I’ve had a great few years in Newcastle and societies have been a huge part of my experience.

They’ve given me the chance to meet so many great people. I’ve joined various societies over the years including Environment and Earth, Model UN, Irish Dance and Latin and Ballroom. I’ve also been involved in the committees for some of these. I was Secretary and then President of Environment and Earth, and now I’m Secretary for Model UN.

Amazing, so good to hear how societies have shaped your uni experience. So how did you get interested and involved in the NUSU rep role?
Last year when I was President of the Environment and Earth Society I was asked by (now retired) Senior Lecturer Dr John Appleby if I wanted to get the society involved with ‘Hope not Heat’ a youth climate event he was organising. I reached out to other student groups like the Plant-Based Unis Campaign (PBU) and the Beach Cleaning Society. We put on events in addition to the organised public “Hope not Heat” events. John had mentioned the E&E rep role which I hadn’t heard of before and I became interested! At the end of the academic year, I attended Student Council to support a PBU motion. At that student council meeting. They were also electing the E&E rep and others encouraged me to go up for it. So that’s how I was elected! I’m very excited about the role given my passion for sustainability!

So now you’re elected, what’s the first thing you want to do? How can others get involved?
The first thing I’m doing is starting up the Student Environmental and Sustainability Committee (SESC). It will be attended by reps from sustainability linked student groups and Environment and Sustainability (E&S) course reps. It provides a link between students and staff as I also attend the University Sustainability Committee (USC) where I raise environmental concerns from students. I’d really recommend becoming an E&S rep if you want to get involved and attend SESC where you can pass on environmental issues you want to raise from your School. Also, I want to encourage students to reach out to me about ideas/concerns so I understand student opinions on sustainability and can use this to shape future initiatives!

Brilliant! Well, I’m looking forward to seeing the SESC come together and for all the work it will do for sustainable action on campus.

Sustainability Team Beach Clean 2025!

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This week the Sustainability Team headed to Tynemouth Longsands Beach and Cullercoats for a beach litter pick in support of the Great British Beach Clean 2025.

Every September, thousands of people across the UK head to the coast to take part in this nationwide event, organised by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). Last year volunteers across the UK removed over 764,000 litter items from our beaches, weighing more than 16,800kg. This year’s Great British Beach Clean is running from Friday 19th to Sunday 28th September, and we were proud to play our part in helping protect our local coastline.

Armed with litter pickers, gloves, and clipboards, we spent the afternoon collecting waste along the shoreline, aiming to improve the environment for people and wildlife.

We used the MCS litter survey forms to record the types and amounts of waste we found. These forms are an essential part of the Beach Clean, allowing the MCS to track pollution trends and build evidence to campaign for cleaner seas and stronger environmental policies.

Some of the most commonly found items included:

  • Small pieces of plastic
  • Bottle tops and lids
  • Cigarette butts
  • Fishing line and small netting fragments

The data we collected will now feed directly into the MCS’s national database, helping researchers and policymakers better understand the scale and sources of beach litter.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part! And we are happy to report there wasn’t an awful lot of litter at the beach, thanks to the local community who regularly litter pick.

Want to get involved?
The Great British Beach Clean is running until Sunday 28th September, and there are events happening all over the UK. Visit the Marine Conservation Society website to find out how you can take part and help protect our beaches.

Let’s keep our coastline clean!

Sustainable September: What’s coming up!

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September is a big month for environmental awareness, conscious consumerism, and collective action. Whether you’re just beginning your sustainability journey or looking to deepen your impact, here’s what’s coming up next month and how you can get involved!

Organic September

Led by the Soil Association, Organic September celebrates organic food and farming. It’s a chance to learn about the benefits of choosing organic for our health and the planet. This Organic Septembers focus is the connection between healthy soil and healthy food. Try swapping one or two regular shopping items for organic alternatives and support farmers who are working with nature.

Tip: Look for the Soil Association organic certification logo next time your food shopping, or read the Soil Associations Organic Living Guide

Second-hand September

Fashion is famously one of the most polluting industries, with millions of clothes ending up in landfill every year. Hosted by Oxfam, Second-hand September encourages people to say no to new clothes for 30 days and take a stance against fast fashion.

Challenge yourself to find an outfit from a thrift shop or host a clothes swap with friends.

Tip: Read our blog for tips on tackling fast fashion.

Photo: Oxfam

World Car Free Day: 22nd September

Join cities around the world in ditching your car for the day. Whether you walk, wheel, take public transport, reducing car use is great for the environment and your health.Map out a car-free route to work/ university and give it a go! Keep an eye on our World Car Free Day events page to find out how Newcastle University are getting involved.

Tip: Cycle in and use our Dr Bike services at Bike Week for free minor repairs!

Recycle Week: 22nd – 28th September

Run by Recycle Now, this national campaign reminds us all to keep recycling correctly. It’s a great time to brush up on what can and can’t go in your recycling bin, and to explore local recycling services.

Tip: Check out our waste A-Z to see what can be recycled on campus.

Great British Beach Clean: 19th – 28th September

Organised by the Marine Conservation Society, the Great British Beach Clean is more than just a litter picking event. Volunteers record the types of litter they find to help push for policy change. There data has helped to make positive change, including the introduction of the plastic bag charge, banning microplastics in personal care products, better wet wipe labelling, and supporting a tax on single-use plastic items.

Tip: Find a local clean-up event or organise your own with friends and family.

Photo: Great British Beach Clean

Sustainable September is a perfect time to pause, reflect, and act. Which of these events will you take part in?

More awareness days:

Happy International Bog Day!

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Today, we’re celebrating one of the world’s most overlooked yet vital ecosystems – peatlands! Whether it’s bogs, fens, swamps, or marshes, these incredible landscapes play a crucial role in the fight against climate change, biodiversity loss, and water pollution.

Although peatlands cover just 3% of the Earth’s surface, they are the largest terrestrial carbon store on the planet, holding an estimated 550 gigatons of carbon, more than all the world’s forests combined. Read on to discover what makes peatlands so special, the benefits they offer, and how we can all help to protect them.

What are Peatlands?

Peatlands (or bogs) are areas of wetland with thick layers of decomposed vegetation stored in their soils, and 1 metre of peat takes around 1,000 years to build!

 There are three broad peatland types in the UK:

  • Blanket bog – typically found in the uplands, fed by rainfall. Nutrient poor and acidic.
  • Raised bog – localised domes, common in lowland areas. Rain fed, nutrient poor and acidic.
  • Fen – fed by rain and groundwater sources, so differing pH levels from base rich to base poor.

In the North East we have some great examples of peatlands, such as Cuthbert’s Moor in the heart of the Durham Dales and the Border Mires blanket bog next to Kielder Forest.

 Cuthberts Moor (Photo: Durham Wildlife Trust)

Benefits of peatlands

Peatlands provide a host of benefits, known as “ecosystem services”, to society. Some of the ecosystem services that peatlands provide include carbon storage, drinking water filtration, flood prevention, wildlife habitats, grazing land and recreational areas.  Although in the UK, due to the way peatlands have been managed, peatlands are estimated to be a net source of greenhouse gas emissions i.e. they release more CO2 into the atmosphere than they store.

This damaged peat is often referred to as “wasted peat.”

Protecting Peatlands

Peatlands are under threat, but through restoration, better land management, and community awareness, we can work to restore these amazing landscapes.

The UK government has pledged up to £400 million for nature restoration, including efforts to restore peatlands. There are also consultations underway to extend the ban on burning deep peat, a practice that releases emissions and causes habitat loss.

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:

“Our peatlands are this country’s Amazon Rainforest and in desperate need of restoration and protection, as this mapping and research work starkly demonstrates. That is why we have announced up to £400m for nature restoration, including of our peatlands, and are consulting on new plans to extend the ban on burning deep peat. This government, as part of our Plan for Change, are committed to expanding nature-rich habitats and turning the tide on nature’s decline after years of neglect.”

Further information

UK Peat Map

About Peatlands | IUCN UK Peatland Programme

Plastic Free July 2025!

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Plastic pollution poses a worldwide challenge, with 400 million tons of plastic produced each year, and this number is predicted to triple by 2060 (UNEP, 2025). It is estimated that UK households throw away a staggering 1.7 billion pieces of plastic packaging a week (Big Plastic Count, 2024).

Plastic is a highly durable material; therefore, it rarely completely disappears once out in the environment, it will instead take many years to break down into smaller pieces or microplastic. Plastic pollution is causing harm to marine life, the climate and humans across the world.

Plastic Free July is a challenge created by the Plastic Free Foundation that aims to help people begin or continue their journey to reduce their use of single use plastic. The beginning of the journey to reduce single use plastic as an individual or family can be daunting, so here are some tips on where you can begin:

Tips on how to reduce single use plastic in your everyday life:  

  • Travel cup: By carrying a travel cup with you every day, you can remove the need for single use coffee cups when you buy coffee out and about. Some coffee cups are now designed to be collapsible, so they take up less room in your bag. 
  • Water bottle: Instead of buying water in a single use plastic bottle, you can carry a reusable water bottle with you and fill it up from a tap when you are on the go, at school or at work. 
  • A great way to reduce plastic packaging is by buying dry food products such as rice, pasta, and spices from refill shops, check out some local refill shops in our blog.
  • Invest in a re-useable cutlery set to carry for your meals on the go, some even come with a reusable straw, you could even just bring your home cutlery in your bag if you don’t want to buy a travel set! 
  • Reuse what you already own as much as you can, for example do you have plastic takeaway containers that can be used as a lunch box instead of buying a new plastic lunchbox? 
  • Do some research into what food products that you consume may contain traces of plastic, such as tea bags and chewing gum and look for alternatives such as loose tea.  

Resources to help you with your journey to plastic free: