Biodiversity
Biodiversity plays a vital role in supporting healthy ecosystems, enhancing wellbeing, and responding to the Climate and Nature Crisis. DCG is committed to protecting and enhancing biodiversity across its estate by creating, restoring, and managing green spaces that support wildlife, improve resilience, and benefit students, staff, and local communities. Through targeted initiatives, partnerships, and sustainable land management practices, DCG is working to deliver measurable biodiversity net gains while embedding nature recovery into its wider environmental and sustainability ambitions.
Working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
DCG has been working in partnership with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to better understand and enhance biodiversity across its sites. In 2024, an in-depth ecological survey was completed at Broomfield Hall, providing a comprehensive picture of existing habitats and species.
This survey identified areas requiring protection and set out practical recommendations for biodiversity improvement, including changes to land management and agricultural practices. In 2026, further ecological surveys will be undertaken across DCG’s city-centre sites, including the Roundhouse and the Joseph Wright Centre.
Joseph Wright Centre Urban Garden
In 2024, DCG brought together students and staff from across the organisation to transform the Urban Garden at the Joseph Wright Centre into an inviting green space that supports wellbeing, learning, and biodiversity.
Over a six-month collaborative project, learners from joinery, horticulture, and the Green Skills Bootcamp worked together to design, build, and plant the space using recycled materials and plants grown at DCG’s own plant centre.
No Mow May Campaign
Each May, DCG participates in Plantlife’s No Mow May campaign. During this period, selected grassy areas at the Roundhouse, Joseph Wright Centre, and Ilkeston campus are left uncut to allow wild plants to grow and support insects.
This supports biodiversity by creating habitats for pollinators and helping address the ongoing ecological crisis caused by habitat loss.
National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme
DCG students and staff were featured on ITV News talking about their involvement with the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme. Cameras are installed to capture images of hedgehogs and other wildlife, helping researchers understand how to better support them.
Woodland Trust Partnership
DCG has made a significant contribution to environmental conservation, helping to raise over £1.37 million for the Woodland Trust, supporting over 354,000 trees and the capture of 82,000 tonnes of CO₂.
In 2023 alone, certified paper use contributed to 1.35 hectares of new woodland, expected to capture 404 tonnes of CO₂ over its lifetime.
DCG Jubilee Tree Planting
Over 100 trees have been planted across the estate through the Queen’s Canopy programme, transforming grassland into woodland to support biodiversity net gain.
Once established, these trees are expected to sequester approximately 4.72 tonnes of CO₂e per year.
