Our projects, campaigns and events are built around the Green Lancaster 10 year plan with activities planned annually and outlined in the Green Lancaster Annual Action Plan. These plans are a key component in ensuring that the objectives set out in both the University's various Sustainability Plans and the Students' Unions Sustainability Strategy are aligned.
Take a look at ways you can get involved with our dedicated events calendar below. We rely on student and staff volunteers to help run most of our events so if you're interested in helping out then let us know.
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Our ECO family of projects and campaigns are facilitated under the banner of Biodiversity and Agriculture. Here, we concentrate on supporting ecosystem services through rewilding projects and land management, as well as sustainable agriculture.
The ECOHub was established in it’s current location on Alexandra Park during the winter of 2012-13. Since then, the site has been transformed, adopting loads of student ideas via funding from the University and from the National Union of Students.
ECOWild is a nature and wellbeing project taking place on and off campus. It provides our community with the opportunity to immerse themselves in and cultivate their relationship with the natural world through wildlife observation and mindful activities.
ECOWoods is an ecological restoration project right here on University land and in collaboration with partners across the North of England. The project gives our community the opportunity to take part in hands-on restoration work and learn about innovative natural solutions to the Climate and Ecological Emergency.
The University Grounds Team support a national effort to reduce mowing; allowing wildflowers to flourish, which then support pollinators and promote healthy habitats for a range of animals and insects.
Prioritising the shared and circular economies as the modal solutions to the elimination of material waste.
The Don't Ditch It initiative is one of the longest-running and most widely recognised initiatives of Green Lancaster. A household goods upcycling project that has long established relationships with over 50 local and national charities. The project gives back to the community and reduces waste on campus every year.
Visit the ECOShop during Welcome Week in Alexandra Square, where you can buy pre-loved student essential household items on a pay as you feel basis. All items are good quality and hand-picked by our Don’t Ditch It team. By buying from the EcoShop, you're contributing to creating a sustainable circular economy at the University.
Promoting healthy and active travel locally and facilitating modal shift to low-carbon travel nationally and internationally.
The Big Bike Sale hosts local retailers, selling ultra-low cost second-hand refurbished bikes from as little as £75. The sale is a great way for new and returning students to beat the traffic when commuting to campus and enjoy the local scenery without the hassle of bringing a bike from home.
For cyclists, regular maintenance is an essential safety measure. That's why we host weekly bike maintenance workshops where you can bring your cycle to be serviced during a drop-in session.
Save money, stay healthy and travel sustainably with the Lancaster University Cycle Hire Scheme, a low cost alternative to bus travel designed specifically for Lancaster University students.
Analysing patterns of energy consumption and prioritising efficiency gains towards zero-carbon living and workspaces.
The University has submitted a planning application for a solar photovoltaic farm at Forrest Hills. The proposed development is a solar farm capable of generating approximately 16.8MW of electricity, comprising roughly 36,000 panels. The development would significantly contribute to the University achieving it's goal to become carbon neutral.
The wind turbine was installed in 2012 and has since provided the equivalent of 15% of the University's overall energy consumption year on year. A planning application has been submitted in recent years, which has not been successful for a number of reasons. This has led us to consider other ways to generate renewable energy.
Each year, we run campaigns for staff and students; encouraging them to reduce energy consumption by doing lots of little things that together, to make a huge difference. Switching of monitors, laptops and TVs at the mains when not in use. Switching off lights when you leave the room and the heating off over the summer months, all stack up each year.
The Community Benefits Fund awards £20,000 to local communities each year, for community based and environmental projects throughout the Lancaster district.
