Biodiversity Strategy Action, research and engagement for biological diversity David Russell Halls Environment Team Version 3 September 2018 Biodiversity Strategy 2019 – 2029 Biodiversity Policy Working Group Executive Summary Aim and Scope The overarching aim of the University of St Andrews Biodiversity Strategy is to proactively conserve and promote the biodiversity of St Andrews, so enhancing the University and town as a desirable place where staff, students and the local community can live, work and learn and in which wildlife may thrive. This Biodiversity Strategy aims to provide a comprehensive framework to undertake biodiversity conservation on University-managed property and land. This can be achieved by following the Strategy’s recommendations for three principle foci: Habitats and Areas; Species; Teaching, Research, Communication and Engagement (extensive SMART targets for each foci are outlined in the University’s separate Biodiversity Action Plan). This Strategy and associated Action Plan is intended to cover a temporal scope from 2019 – 2029 (after which it should be revised and renewed). However, what is undertaken in this crucial decade will lay the foundations for a biodiversity ethos which will continue for the next 600 years and more. Rationale This Biodiversity Strategy is essential to: Ensure the University meets basic legal requirements Meet BREEAM Excellent building standards Aid in the achievement of the University’s Strategic Plan 2015 – 2025 and Sustainable Development Strategy Develop a reputation for biodiversity and sustainability excellence, which could be recognized through a number of national awards and accreditation schemes Enhance and safeguard staff, student and local community quality of life and wellbeing Create a desirable and prosperous natural environment for all Objectives This Strategy defines the University’s biodiversity objectives as to: Develop and maintain a record of species and habitats existing within University grounds Conserve and enhance biodiversity to comply with national legislation and regional plans Ensure biodiversity conservation and enhancement is at the forefront of development decisions Provide and promote hands-on teaching about biodiversity and sustainable ecosystem management within the University Raise staff, student and the local community’s awareness of and positive engagement with local wildlife and the immediate environment Become a leader in biodiversity management, therefore increasing the reputation of the University Key Recommendations To meet the above objectives, key recommendations have been proposed for the Strategy’s three principle foci (for SMART targets see the UStA Biodiversity Action Plan 2019 – 2029): 2 Version 3 September 2018 Biodiversity Strategy 2019 – 2029 Biodiversity Policy Working Group Habitats and Areas Implement evidence-based conservation methods with proven success in specific habitats and areas Conduct and maintain baseline surveys for all key habitats and areas Maintain current supportive habitat; identify habitat that requires no management Create new desirable habitat Connect fragmented areas of habitat through the creation of wildlife corridors Safeguard important habitats when pursuing University Estate expansion or undergoing changes Species Conduct baseline surveys and maintain an up-to-date database of local biodiversity Identify key species of conservation interest and areas of conflict and potential solution during University development Implement key species action plans, predominantly through habitat and area conservation as above Teaching, Research, Communication and Engagement Utilise the University estate and biodiversity for educational purposes by: Promoting Living Labs biodiversity projects throughout the academic and non-academic community Collaborating with local stakeholders for biodiversity teaching and learning Compiling a portfolio of potential biodiversity Living Labs projects available to undergraduate and postgraduate students Promoting the implementation of this Strategy itself as a Living Labs case study for wellbeing Improve awareness of existing wildlife among staff, students, visitors and the local community Involve staff, students, and the local community in monitoring biodiversity, setting targets and habitat management Monitoring Progress The Biodiversity Strategy and Biodiversity Action Plan’s progress will be monitored through the following actions: The Biodiversity Policy Working Group (BPWG) will form a new group termed the ‘Biodiversity Core Group’ (BCG) who will be responsible for monitoring the Strategy and Action Plan The BCG will feed progress reports back to the SDWG. 3 Version 3 September 2018 Biodiversity Strategy 2019 – 2029 Biodiversity Policy Working Group Preface Much of the value of the University of St Andrews stems from the high quality of life here, a significant part of which arises from the green and pleasant natural environment which surrounds the University. Maintaining and enhancing the University’s natural environment – for wildlife and so for people – must therefore be a priority. Biodiversity – or biological diversity – is the variety of life. This variety is fundamental in promoting healthy, resilient and productive ecosystems, and providing the invaluable life- supporting services which underpin our daily lives. In addition to enabling us to live, biodiversity undeniably creates a world worth living in – as wildlife and natural places enrich our lives in a multitude of irreplaceable ways. St Andrews, with its rural location on the East Coast of Fife, boasts a wealth of natural habitats and many of Scotland’s estimated 90 000 species – from the grey seal to the Scottish bluebell. This pleasant natural setting makes the University environment a wonderful place to work and study, from the obvious to the more subtle: dappled shade on a hot day, the hope of swallows returning in early spring, or the uplift of a breaching dolphin glimpsed on a cold winter’s walk into work. But the fate of this extraordinary natural environment - for the present and next 600 years – is a consequence of how we live in it now and choose to develop it for the future. As a centre of academic excellence which endeavours to be a leading figure in sustainability research and action, it is imperative the University recognises biodiversity conservation among its very top priorities. What we achieve (or neglect to achieve) here in St Andrews sets a precedent not only to our staff and students but to all who look up to us as a leading institution. St Andrews must provide the best example to the world of how sustainable development leads to a better quality of life for us all. 4 Version 3 September 2018 Biodiversity Strategy 2019 – 2029 Biodiversity Policy Working Group Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 2 PREFACE ................................................................................................................................... 4 1 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 6 1.2 THE BUSINESS CASE FOR BIODIVERSITY ........................................................................... 7 1.3 BIODIVERSITY AS PART OF WIDER UNIVERSITY STRATEGIES ........................................... 9 1.4 LOCAL BIODIVERSITY GOVERNANCE AND STAKEHOLDERS............................................ 10 1.5 THE UNIVERSITY’S CURRENT BIODIVERSITY EFFORTS .................................................... 11 2 THE STRATEGY ............................................................................................................... 13 2.1 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................... 13 2.2 ACHIEVING OBJECTIVES AND MONITORING PROGRESS ................................................. 14 2.3 ACTIONS: HABITATS AND AREAS .................................................................................... 14 STRATEGY SCOPE ................................................................................................................................. 14 THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS ESTATE ........................................................................................ 14 HABITATS ............................................................................................................................................. 17 2.4 ACTIONS: SPECIES ........................................................................................................... 20 2.5 ACTIONS: TEACHING, RESEARCH, COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT ......................... 21 TEACHING AND RESEARCH ................................................................................................................. 21 LIVING LABS ......................................................................................................................................... 22 COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT .............................................................................................. 23 APPENDICES ......................................................................................................................... 24 APPENDIX 1: HOW THE ST ANDREWS BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY FITS INTO GLOBAL, NATIONAL AND LOCAL