Please consider this email as an application for a Friends of the University grant.
The University of Reading’s Biodiversity Working Group are developing initiatives to promote biodiversity on campus. As part of our efforts to engage staff, students and visiting members of the community with biodiversity initiatives, we hope to install a series of information signs at key locations around campus.
Each sign will introduce a point of biodiversity interest and include a QR code linking to an article on the Whiteknights Biodiversity website (https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/whiteknightsbiodiversity/) for further information. Points of biodiversity interest will include the Whiteknights Lake, Wilderness woodland, managed hay meadows, dead wood habitats and rewilding or succession areas. The signs will also combine to form a campus ‘Biodiversity Trail’, encouraging staff, students and members of the community to explore and enjoy the biodiversity that our campus has to offer.
Over the past year, it has become increasingly apparent that engaging with nature is important for mental and physical wellbeing. We believe that our campus has provided a much-needed escape for many in the local community during difficult times, and hope that the Biodiversity Trail will encourage further enjoyment and learning. Moreover, with many biodiversity initiatives underway, we wish to share and celebrate the concerted efforts to enhance our campus for wildlife and people alike.
The Biodiversity Working Group are requesting £500 to support the Biodiversity Trail project. Funds would cover the material costs of signs (including six signs and all necessary attachments), installation costs, and design development. Draft designs are included in the attached document.
We hope that the Friends of the University will support us in celebrating our campus’ biodiversity and sharing it with the local community. If there are any further questions, please do get in touch.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts. All the very best wishes,
Gaia Zwiers, Vicky Boult & Chris Foster
on behalf of the University of Reading’s Biodiversity Working Group