University of Surrey Sustainability

📢 Important Update: Our page is now closed.

But don't worry, you can still stay connected with Sustainable Surrey on Instagram and Twitter (LinkinBio)!

🌿 Follow us there for all the latest updates and sustainability news. Thank you for your continued support! 🌍

We're excited to announce that University of Surrey Stag Hill campus has been awarded the Green Flag Award! 🌳

This award is recognised by parks around the world, marking our campus a significant green space for our community.

Congratulations to our Horticulture Team - their dedication and hard work ensured the University's success! 👏

Did you know we have hedgehogs here at the University of Surrey? 🦔

Our Hedgehog Champions, led by Dr Tara Pirie, have been busy making both our Stag Hill and Manor Park campuses hedgehog friendly! As a result of all their hard work, we are a certified Gold Hedgehog Friendly campus! 😍

The team are always looking for support to monitor hedgehog numbers. If you're interested in volunteering, send the team an email on [email protected]

Last-minute packing got you in a panic? We've got you covered! 🙏

Rather than throwing away your unwanted items, why not try donating instead? There are three simple ways you can donate your items on campus:

1️⃣ Place your unwanted clothes in a bag and take them to one of our dedicated British Heart Foundation donations bins, locations include: Central Distribution (Stag Hill), Millennium House (Stag Hill), Alexander Fleming Road (Manor Park), Daphne Jackson Road (Manor Park) and Hamilton Close (Hazel Farm).

2️⃣ Got other items you'd like to donate? From electrical items to books, you can now donate clean + fit for purpose items to University of Surrey Students' Union new Community Hub (launching this August). Donation cages can be found at: MySurrey Hive, Stag Hill Reception, Cathedral Court Reception, Battersea Reception, Manor Park Reception + SU's reception.

3️⃣ Finally, any unopened and non-perishable food can be donated to University of Surrey Students' Union scheme, an initiative that has already seen over 200,000 items donated to local food banks. Donation trolleys can be found in the same locations as the Commuity Hub donation cages.

🔗 For more information, check out MySurrey: https://buff.ly/3CfjI3q

We are proud to have moved up nine places in this year's Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. We are now in the top 50 in the world and top 10 in the UK ⬆️ http://ow.ly/KC7S50OBQ7b

Meet Charlotte, our new Sustainability Awareness Coordinator! 👋

With previous experience in the marketing industry, Charlotte joins the team to promote the University's sustainability initiatives and develop sustainable engagement activities!

🔗 To find out more about Charlotte, and discover why she decided to transition to the sustainability sector, head over to our stories on Instagram: https://buff.ly/42tj3Xt

Wishing all University of Surrey students the best of luck as we approach exam season! 🍀

Make sure to check out University of Surrey Students' Union Don't Worry Surrey sessions for exam advice and wellbeing support!

🔗 https://buff.ly/3MufFpQ

Meet Matthew, our Circular Economy Doctoral Practitioner 👋

Having started with the Sustainability Team through University of Surrey Graduate Futures Programme, Matthew has now officially joined the team as a Doctoral Practicioner.

This is an exciting prospect for the University as Matthew will be working with us and the University's Procurement Team to support our transition towards a circular economy. ♻️

🔗 Want to find out more? Head over to our Instagram to get the lowdown from Matthew: https://buff.ly/42HcvUM

Meet Emese, our Sustainability + Energy Assistant 👋

Emese has been a part of University of Surrey Sustainability Team for over a year now. Her main responsibility is ensuring all University energy + utility bills are managed efficiently.

From reading energy meters, to analysing University energy consumption, no one day is the same for Emese!

🔗 Head over to our stories on Instagram to find out more: https://buff.ly/42sKqAS

FREE FILM SCREENING TOMORROW! 🤩

Join People + Planet (Surrey) and Zero Carbon Guildford for a screening of FINITE: The Climate of Change! The film will be shown at Zero Carbon and will start at 7:30pm!

Don't miss out! 😱

Synopsis:
In Germany, concerned citizens step forward to save an ancient forest from one of Europe’s biggest coal mines. They form an unlikely alliance with a frustrated community in rural England who are forced into action to protect their homes from a new opencast coal mine. FINITE: The Climate of Change is an insider’s view of the world of direct action; a raw, authentic and emotional insight into the David and Goliath battle between front line communities, activists and fossil fuel corporations.

🔗 https://buff.ly/44Hu0q9

Meet Andy, our Energy Manager! 👋

Over the last three years, Andy has been working to ensure the University uses energy efficiently!

Having come from an engineering background, Andy has the practical experience needed to help Surrey transition to using greener energy!

Head over to our Instagram to hear more from Andy, and find out what he's been working on: https://buff.ly/3oYQa6z

Our nature photography competition closes tomorrow! 😱

Make sure to send in your photos of nature on campus to [email protected] by 5pm tomorrow to be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher of your choice!

Open to University of Surrey staff and students!

Meet Martin, our new Head of Sustainability! 👋

With over 30 years experience working in sustainability, Martin has a wide-range of skills and knowledge of the sector: from integrating sustainability into the curriculum, to developing net zero carbon strategies.

Having led an award-winning team at the University of Bristol, Martin now joins University of Surrey with the aim of making our University one of the most sustainable in the sector!

🔗 To find out more about Martin and his journey into sustainability, head over to our Instagram stories: https://buff.ly/3LAuMxy

ONLY 5 MORE DAYS to enter our nature photography competition! 😱

To get involved, and be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher of your choice, all you need to do is:

🌷 Send us a photo of nature on University of Surrey campus to [email protected].
🌷 This doesn't have to be a recent photo, so send photos you've taken in the past!
🌷 The competition closes 5pm on May 7th - so get snapping! 📸

Need some inspiration? Check out these brilliant entries from campus:

1️⃣ Blossoms from Annabel Sheridan
2️⃣ Close-up from Jasmine Dormor
3️⃣ Bambi from Abigail Sharpe
4️⃣ Blossom trees from Susan Kay-Attwood

Meet University of Surrey Sustainability Team! 👋

Over the next month, we'll be introducing you to the team behind the scenes working to make our University one of the most sustainable in the sector! 🌳♻️

From making sure the University operates sustainably, to supporting the Institute for Sustainability to embed sustainability into all curriculums, no one day is the same for the Sustainability Team!

Got a question for the team? Send us a message or comment below 👇

We're absolutely loving your photos of nature on campus! 🤩

Remember you have until 5pm on 7th May to send your photos of nature on campus to [email protected] and be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher of your choice!

So get snapping! 📸

Time to get litter picking 🚮

Tomorrow afternoon the SU is organising a drop-in litter picking session for ALL students, 1-3pm. Whether you've got 10mins or a whole afternoon, come along and help clean up our campus! 🙌

🔗 Check out the link to sign up and find out more!

Surrey Volunteering Develop the skills, experience and insight to reach your potential

Nature photography competition! 🌲

Whether you're an expert with the camera or just starting out, we're looking for your best pictures of our campus' natural wildlife - from the beautiful flowers, to the creatures who have made Surrey their home! 📸

To be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher of your choice, send in your photos to [email protected]. The competition is open to both staff and students. It starts on 24th April and closes at 5pm on 7th May.

We can't wait to see your entries! 🤩

On today! 🤩 📸 🌷

We're hosting a nature photography drop-in session TODAY from 12:30pm to 2:30pm!

Get support on how to get the perfect shot 📸 and take a moment to really appreciate the natural spaces we have on campus! 🌲

No previous experience or camera required - just bring a phone that can take photos!

The session is open to both staff and students! Meet the Sustainability Team by The Bridge at the lake on Stag Hill Campus.

We can't wait to see you there 👏

Check out these FAB volunteering opportunities from University of Surrey Students' Union 👏

✨ YHA are looking for volunteers to help run their D of E Gold activities!
✨ Shooting Star Hospices need event volunteers to help at fundraising activities throughout the year!
✨ Girlguiding in Guildford are looking for volunteers to lead units in the local area!

For more information on volunteering opportunities available, Surrey Volunteering's website: https://buff.ly/3G65Vyp

Want to learn how to take the perfect shot of nature? 📸

As part of University of Surrey Students' Union Sustainability Week, we'll be hosting a drop-in nature photography session on Monday 24th April from 12:30pm - 2:30pm by The Bridge at the lake on Stag Hill Campus.

The session is open to both staff and students! SO why not drop by and take a moment to celebrate the amazing nature we have on campus? 🌷

In the community 🌷

Did you know Surrey Wildlife Trust have teamed up with our neighbours St Clare's Church in Park Barn to develop a community garden?

The project, developed as part of Nextdoor Nature, aims to bring all the wonderful benefits of natural spaces to our community.

Want to find out more? 🔗 : https://buff.ly/3zybamF

Creating a community garden | Surrey Wildlife Trust As part of Nextdoor Nature, Surrey Wildlife Trust is working with St Clare’s Church in Guildford to bring the benefits of green spaces into people’s lives.

Definitely in need of some positive vibes! 👏

From trees to cleaner energy, here are just a few good eco news stories from across campus:

🌲 University of Surrey Students' Union volunteering team were out in full force this month, planting 4 fruit trees on Stag Hill Campus. Have you spotted them in the student community garden yet? 🤩

🌲 University of Surrey Professor Jin Xuan has been awared an Open Fellowship from the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council. Prof Xuan will be using advanced artificial intelligence to develop new clean energy devices - so watch this space! 😱

🌲 University of Surrey Institute for Sustainability have announced their new Fellows. These academics will be crucial in driving the Institute's cross-disciplinary research. 🤓

Got a good eco news story to share? Make sure to send us a message or leave a comment so we can spread the word! 👇

✨COMING SOON✨

From 24th April - 28th April, University of Surrey Students' Union will be hosting their Sustainability Week! ♻️

Expect competitions, more FAB volunteering opportunities AND sustainable giveaways! 🤩

Watch this space for more info...

Some moments from March... ❄️📚🌲🐞

1. frosty mornings @ Stag Hill Campus
2. University of Surrey Horticulture Team sharing campus biodiversity improvements with students
3. University of Surrey Students' Union volunteer tree planting session at the student garden
4. more bug hotels spotted @ Manor Park Campus

What have been your fav March moments? 🤔👇

The water we use on Stag Hill campus has come from our own natural source! Crazy right? 🤯

If you head on down to the car park by the lake, you might be able to spot our borehole. This borehole takes water from underneath campus so that we can use it in our taps! Just one of the many ways Surrey is being more sustainable! 💧

🔗 Find out more: https://buff.ly/3yGhDfd

Need some inspo for next week's meal plan? Enter BBC Good Food's veggie buffalo cauliflower wings!

Ingredients:
🍽️ 1 tbsp sweet smoked paprika
🍽️ 1/2 tbsp ground cumin
🍽️ 1 tsp garlic powder
🍽️ 100g plain flour
🍽️ 200ml buttermilk
🍽️ 500g cauliflower
🍽️ 80g hot sauce
🍽️ 1 and 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
🍽️ 1 tbsp butter
🍽️ 100g greek yogurt
🍽️ 3 tbsp mayonnaise
🍽️ 2 tbsp chopped chives
🍽️ 1 tbsp milk

Method:
Mix the paprika, cumin, garlic, flour + salt in a large bowl. Then whisk in the buttermilk + after add the cauliflower to coat. Pop the cauliflower in the oven, and start warming the hot sauce, maple syrup + butter in a pan. Once mixed + heated, get the cauliflower out of the oven and brush the sauce over the cauliflower. Pop the coated cauliflower back in the oven and start making your ranch dressing by whisking the yogurt, mayo, chives + milk with a pinch of salt!

🔗 Check out the full recipe: https://buff.ly/3TAbWJr

Today is 💧

In the UK, we often take water for granted. But for many people around the world, clean water is a scarcity. So today, we're sharing some super simple tips to help you use less water:

💙 Look out for leaky taps! Leaky taps are one of the many ways we waste water, increasing those utilities bills too! So to save water, and save yourself some money, sort out those little leaks. If you're living on campus, make sure to report any leaky taps too!
💙 Try taking shorter showers. Cutting down on the time you spend in the shower makes a real big difference on the amount of water you use.
💙 Use leftover pasta or veggie water. Whether you use it to water your plants, or warm it up to wash your dishes, this is a super clever way to keep water waste to a minimum.
💙 And last, but not least, only fill up the kettle with the amount of water you need. That way you're not throwing away leftover water.

And there you have it, 4 simple tips that can make a really big difference. Want to find out more about the campaign? Check out the UN's website: https://buff.ly/3Z4tcrZ

Want to give back AND gain skills ready for future employment? 🤩

Volunteering is a great way to not only give back to the community, but also develop your employability ready for life after university. 🙌

University of Surrey Students' Union have FAB opportunities available all year round! Here are just a few sustainable roles for you to check out:

🌲 Dose of Nature are looking for Nature Guides to share the benefit of spending time in nature with community members. No previous experience required, just enthusiasm and a passion for all things green!

🌲 Oxfam Great Britain are looking for students to join their Oxfam Student Activist Network to develop + deliver transformative campaigns to tackle poverty!

🌲 Watts Gallery - Artists' Village need volunteer gardeners to help maintain their beautiful gardens!

For more information on volunteering opportunities availabile, head over to the Surrey Volunteering website: https://buff.ly/3JduWZg

Such a great volunteer tree planting session with University of Surrey Students' Union yesterday! 🌲🤩👏

Missed out on the session, but want to get involved? Make sure to check out Surrey Volunteering's website for more opportunities: https://buff.ly/42jbEuo