The ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Fund, administered by the Development and Alumni Relations Office and supported by alumni donations, has recently supported the redevelopment of the Brambell building’s wildlife and pond area, transforming it into a safe, accessible, and ecologically rich space that will offer lasting benefits to student learning and research. The site now features secure, gated access that ensures student safety while protecting sensitive habitats from disturbance, allowing biodiversity to thrive. This proximity to our main teaching facilities means we can integrate more outdoor, hands-on learning into undergraduate courses without the need for costly, environmentally-damaging, and time-consuming coach bookings to off-site locations.
The redeveloped area will serve as a vital resource for undergraduate field trips, providing direct opportunities to observe freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, practice ecological survey techniques, and explore key topics in conservation biology and environmental science. Beyond formal teaching, the site will also support student-led initiatives, encouraging active engagement with the natural world. Projects such as bioblitz biodiversity surveys, long-term bird nest box monitoring, and invertebrate population studies will give students valuable experience in data collection, analysis, and scientific reporting - skills essential for careers in ecology, conservation, and environmental consultancy.
Dr John Mulley, Senior Lecturer in Zoology, said:
"Thanks to the ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Fund, with this project we are able to enhance the student experience, promote sustainability and environmental awareness, and support both academic and extracurricular learning in a meaningful and cost-effective way."
A glimpse of our students’ hard work during the Brambell Pond redevelopment
