People

WGU’s Sustainability and Environment Team ensure that the University operates as sustainably as possible.

Lead by the University's Director of Operations Lynda Powell, the team acts as a focal point for all aspects of sustainability within the University and manages a variety of projects, from biodiversity on all campuses, engagement schemes such as green champions, and WGU’s growing facility to sustainable development within the curriculum. SAWG works closely with WgSU and their WgSU sustainability officer.

From WGSU: Katie Taffinder Marc Caldecott Sammy Spillane

Green champions

The Wrexham Glyndŵr University Carbon Management Plan (Appendix B, pg 25, Stakeholder Management) shows our structure and methods of engagement with staff and students in the implementation of the plan. Amongst some of our processes, we include our Green Champion scheme.

Wrexham Glyndŵr University is committed to implementing energy conservation practises and measures, preserving environmental resources and reducing our Carbon Footprint. To help us address a full spectrum of environmental and sustainability issues, we are building a team of Green Champion staff volunteers to help us all to be more environmentally aware in the workplace, to bring the best thinking of our employees and together help treat our planet’s resources more carefully and considerately.

Each year, training takes place at our Northop Campus in conjunction with Outdoor and Environmental Educationalists. Training ensures that staff receive information which includes sessions on:

What is sustainability?
What is a Green Champion – How we can help?
Biodiversity – How ecosystems work.
Carbon footprint – Energy/pollution.
Food Systems.
Resource Use.
Woodland.

Being a Green Champion gives you training opportunities, as well as invitations to sustainability lectures, events and campaigns to get involved in, and you will also be sent a monthly green champions newsletter to keep you up-to-date with WGU’s sustainable news, and hopefully give you some inspiration in how to inspire others. If you are interested in being a Green Champion, you can contact energy&sustainability@glyndwr.ac.uk.

View our latest WGU Green Champions News

Safety, Health and Environment Committee

The committee consists of staff from both academic and professional services. This group discusses and implements the objectives from the strategy and reports through to the Vice Chancellors board.

WGSU’s CEO sits on the SHE committee, ensuring all duties are carried out within the organisation. Having a member of WGSU on the SHE committee ensures that best practice can be shared amongst students and throughout departments. The University takes its role within the wider community seriously and is committed to establishing and strengthening partnerships with local business, charities and other organisations.

Collaboration/partnerships already established:

Flintshare- a community led growing group.
F&DBKA- local beekeepers association.
British Heart Foundation.
Food Bank.
Flying Start.

Safety, Health and Environment Committee tackles issues of mutual concern to local residents, students and the University. The committee meet regularly. Reports on sustainability are made to the committee from the Sustainability Action Working Group, including a review of community issues raised and dealt with throughout the year.

Sustainability Action Working Group

In 2016, the University established a Sustainability Action Working Group, which includes student, academic, professional department, union and Unison representation.

The group meet quarterly to plan, implement and review the University's sustainability and green agendas and targets. They advise and make recommendations to the university on all aspects of sustainability and help to promote social responsibility within the University. They implement and review sustainable policies and promote the engagement of the University’s curriculum and research with issues relating to sustainability and social responsibility. They recruit and appoint green champions and disseminate information to the wider University community.

The Sustainability Action Working Group (Previously the Sustainability Advisory Forum) reports to the Safety, Health and Environment Committee. It has a number of members from the Students’ Union which highlights that sustainability is a high priority throughout the organisation. Currently, SAWG is working towards improvement in Environmental and Sustainability projects and aiming to improve WGU’s position in the People & Planet league table.

Alongside this, the Students’ Union has been working hard on the sustainability agenda and we are delighted to announce that they achieved an Excellent award from Green Impact with support and partnership from the University and the Sustainability Action Working Group. The Green Impact panel recognised how small the institution is and commended the great partnership between both organisations in this area.

Take a look at our latest SAWG Minutes.

WgSU Student Voice

WgSU Sustainability

Keep up to date with what WGU's Green Community is doing to become more sustainable and oppertunities to get involved with eco events, campaigns and become part of the voice that is shapeing WGU's sustainable policies and procedures.

Green Communities

We're commited to supporting local green community groups to help people lead a sustainable lifestyle. Find out more about the community groups below.

North Wales Wildlife Trust

Carl Payne, a WGU Wildlife & Plant Biology graduate, has become Vice Chairman of the North Wales Wildlife Trust

The North Wales Wildlife Trust has a wealth of knowledge in practical conservation, and is always keen to pass on information. A collaboration between them and the University is an opportunity to share knowledge, resources and promote education.

The Trust have the resources to ensure that conservation activities are supported; through a reciprocal agreement with WGU.

The Trust also give support and supervision during pond clearance providing qualified personnel, with a newt licence. The offer to the Trust includes access to the different habitats to survey or perform other activities within the realms of conservation.

North Wales Wildlife Trust has a willing team of volunteers. There may be instances where theoretical concepts of what is to be executed in the field need to be discussed or taught. Some of these concepts will fall neatly into areas of conservation which are part of the curriculum, and therefore students can attend.

WGU Northop has a fantastic species list put together by Carl Payne that he regularly updates, and we hope to execute a bio-blitz in the near future.
Flintshare

Are you passionate about the environment, would you like to get involved with planting your very own fruit and veg at WGU? Head to our Northop Campus to get a patch in one of our five poly tunnels and between July – October and pick your own apples from WGU’s orchard.

The University’s Northop Campus growing facility is run by a collaboration of community growing group Flintshare and WGU societies BotSoc and ZooSoc. You can get involved and learn about planting different seeds, weeding and transplanting and pest control. You will develop a practical understanding of horticultural techniques by understanding how to make compost, dig beds, as well as gain knowledge about different plants, insects and the eco system.

Working in the growing facility provides a great distraction from your busy life and you can enjoy some fresh air while taking in the stunning views from our rural campus. It promotes the mental and physical health benefits of being outdoors, getting physical, being part of bigger change, meeting and connecting with people and enables the University to create connections with growers and local charities as a way of engaging with a larger community.

So if you would like to get involved in growing your own healthy food with no carbon footprint- all free of charge, join Flintshare or WgSU Societies and get a patch at WGU’s growing facility.
Flint & District Beekeepers Association

Populations of honeybees are in decline in the UK and around the world. WGU has teamed up with Flint & District Beekeepers Association providing some land for the installation of 14 beehives on its Northop campus.

This is a fantastic opportunity to support and study the honeybee and emphasizes our efforts to become a more environmentally friendly organisation.

Without insect pollination, about one third of the crops we eat would need to be pollinated by other means, at great expense. Bees are the predominant and most economically important group of pollinators in most agriculturally significant regions.

The aim of the association is to promote within their membership; good beekeeping practice, provide guidance and support, provide ongoing information and awareness, and introduce and support new beekeepers in the area.
Incredible Edible

Incredible Edible are an informal network of self-organising individuals and groups, who are creating spaces in Wrexham where food is grown for anyone to access freely. They plan and share ideas for planting and growing.

Any level of experience is welcome - all support needed to help tend, nurture and grow these free food growing projects.

Our Health & Safety Green Champion Claire Doran, and Union Sustainability Officer Katie Saxby, applied for, received and co-ordinated planting for 100 mainly edible native trees on campus.

Green Glyndwr

A place to share Sustainability related information, resources, projects and volunteering opportunities for WGU students, staff, graduates and WGU related environment project workers. Geen Glyndwr have been at the forefront of removing single-use plastics from WGU and promoting the universities free Refill stations, they helped the University achieve Fairtrade status. Sustainability and Fairtrade Network also won the Students Union Award for ‘Contribution and Collaboration’. Follow our Green Glyndwr Facebook page.
Communal Garden

Our Communal Garden is a place of peace and sanctuary for anyone to take some time out and enjoy the peace and tranquillity or get involved in growing. The wildlife pond makes a great space for quiet reflection to see what you can spot in its depths. If you’re luck you may catch sight of a newt swimming in the depths.

The garden is jointly managed by the University and the Students Union to make a space to attract pollinators and other wildlife and for students to get involved with growing produce. Raised beds and the garden layout make it easy for everyone to participate. Students are encouraged to volunteer to maintain the space and get involved.

Check out our Green Glyndwr social media pages to keep up to date with whats going on in the garden