Penryn Campus celebrates Green Flag Award for seventh consecutive year

The University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus has been honoured with the coveted Green Flag Award for the seventh year in a row.

The Green Flag Award, administered by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, is a benchmark of excellence for well-managed green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Set in 100 acres of countryside, the Penryn Campus grounds and gardens boast a unique collection of herbaceous beds, subtropical planting and a fruit producing orchard. The site also features outside spaces with historic relevance, such as the Tremough Grotto and Star Pond which was built in 1944 by US forces based at the campus prior to the D-Day landings, an 18th Century lime avenue, and a drive with Pinetum native woodlands and historically rare rhododendrons which were cultivated on the site in the Victorian era.

“This accomplishment highlights the exceptional dedication and care shown by our Grounds and Gardens and Facilities Management teams in maintaining our beautiful green spaces,” said Stuart Gaslonde, Executive Director and Director of Infrastructure at Falmouth Exeter Plus.

“It is testament to the hard work and passion of our staff, as well as the invaluable contributions of our volunteers who actively participate in various conservation and sustainability initiatives on campus. Their efforts ensure that our campus remains a vibrant and welcoming environment for all. Thank you to everyone involved in achieving this milestone. Your commitment to excellence is truly appreciated.”

One of the many green initiatives that contributed to this year’s award is the Wildflower Planting Project, which recently celebrated over 1,200 wildflower plugs being planted between January and June 2024. The project, now in its second year, is supporting biodiversity on campus and helping wildlife thrive.

“This summer, we’ve seen Goldfinches, Meadow Brown Butterflies and Buff-tail Bumblebees feasting in the wildflower meadows that we planted last year!” explains Alasdair Garnett from the Grounds and Gardens team.

“Our new plantings of Ox-eye daisies, mallows, self-heals, yellow rattle, and many more native wildflower species will further support bees, butterflies, and birds on campus grounds.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Penryn Campus on achieving a Green Flag Award. It is a vital green space for the local community to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for users to improve their physical and mental health.

“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement. It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”