Restoring Nature at RGU: Supporting biodiversity, climate action and community wellbeing

Backed by £176,322 from the Just Transition Fund for the North East and Moray, the project is enhancing woodland, meadow, wetland and riverside habitats through a programme of restoration and conservation work.

The investment supports the North East's transition to a more sustainable future by restoring natural environments, strengthening climate resilience and creating opportunities for community engagement, learning and wellbeing.

Contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

This project supports:

• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Enhancing biodiversity

The project is helping to restore and protect local ecosystems by:

• Improving habitats for wildlife and pollinators.
• Restoring native habitats: the removal of invasive non-native species, including rhododendron and Himalayan balsam, is improving habitat quality across the reserve. Replacing these species with native vegetation is helping to restore healthier ecosystems, support a wider range of wildlife and increase overall biodiversity.
• Planting native trees, shrubs and wildflowers.
• Strengthening ecological connections across the campus. 

These actions will help increase biodiversity and support healthier natural environments.

Taking climate action

Nature plays an important role in tackling climate change.

By restoring habitats and increasing vegetation cover, RGU is helping to build more resilient ecosystems that can adapt to future environmental challenges.

The project supports the university's wider commitment to sustainability and responsible environmental management.

Nancy Kennills, Sustainability Manager at RGU, said:

"Nature restoration and climate action go hand in hand. By increasing the biodiversity of our campus and grounds, we are improving our estate's ability to withstand the increasingly extreme weather patterns we are beginning to see more regularly.

"The Restoring Nature for the Community project acknowledges the interdependent nature of the riverbanks. Ecological, environmental and community benefits on one side of the river have a direct impact on the other. I am very proud to be working on a project utilising nature-based solutions to contribute to our net-zero objectives."

Creating community benefits

The campus is an important green space for students, staff and the wider community.

Improved access to nature can support health and wellbeing, while volunteering opportunities give people the chance to take part in practical conservation work and environmental stewardship.

Lera Kovalenko, Head of RGU Students' Union's Go Green Gardening project, said:

"I find a special kind of joy in being able to see little bits of nature in my daily life: mushrooms poking up in the grass along a sidewalk, tree branches swaying outside a window, birds chirping to each other somewhere on the roof, or a ladybug spotted crawling along a wall.

“I think there is a lot of value in being able to stay connected with the natural environment. It might not solve any big problems, but it makes positive contributions that stack up. It's one of the things I really appreciate about RGU. The campus grounds are right along the river and have large patches of unobstructed greenery between buildings.

“I am glad that the University is being proactive about supporting biodiversity in the area and highly recommend volunteering for some of the conservation initiatives on campus. It's great fun and quite satisfying to see tangible results of your work later."

Learning through nature

The restored habitats will also create opportunities for learning, research and environmental monitoring.

Students and researchers will be able to use the campus as a living environment for sustainability-focused projects and activities.

Looking ahead

RGU will continue to monitor the impact of the project and identify new opportunities to enhance biodiversity across its estate.

Through practical action and long-term investment in nature, the university is helping create a more sustainable and resilient future.

Measuring impact

RGU is committed to monitoring the outcomes of its biodiversity enhancement programme and identifying opportunities to further strengthen environmental performance across its estate. Early results from work at Waterside Farm Nature Reserve demonstrate the positive impact of habitat restoration and invasive species management.

Key outcomes include:

Improved bird populations: Breeding Bird Surveys carried out in 2024 and 2025 recorded increases or stable populations across most monitored species. The nationally threatened common whitethroat showed the most significant increase, rising from six territories in 2024 to 28 territories in 2025.

Greater plant diversity: Targeted removal of invasive Himalayan balsam reduced the estimated population from more than six million plants in 2024 to fewer than 1.5 million in 2025. In one area near the fishing hut, the removal of a single balsam patch led to the recolonisation of 25 native plant species within one month. Overall, riverbank botanical diversity increased by almost 20 species.

Wildlife habitat success: Goldeneye ducks successfully used a nest box on the eastern side of the reserve and reared chicks. This exceeded expectations, with the original target for goldeneye colonisation not anticipated until 2035. Their presence provides an early indicator that habitat improvements are creating suitable conditions for wildlife.

RGU will continue to monitor habitat creation and restoration, biodiversity enhancement, community participation, access to green infrastructure, and climate resilience. Monitoring and evaluation will help inform future improvements and support the university's contribution to national and global sustainability objectives.