A new Greenery Trail for campus
A new Greenery Trail has been installed at the University of Leeds, created by Dr Hazel Mooney as part of Campus Reimagined.
The Greenery Trail is the first of six Campus Reimagined mini projects, which were voted on by the University community, to be fully implemented. Since May this year, the trail has been open to the public.
Dr Mooney reflects that “We’re really fortunate to have great biodiversity and amazing green spaces on our campus. The Greenery Trail, voted for by staff and students, is all about raising awareness of these spaces and enabling everyone to make the most of the nature around us.
“I’m excited to see our community checking out the maps and following the waymarkers, and I hope the trail helps people to engage with campus greenery in the way that brings them the most joy!”
Dr Hazel Mooney, the creator of the greenery trail, and Ann Allen, Director of Campus Innovation and Development, unveiling the new signage
Illustrated maps in Chancellor’s Court and near Esther Simpson provide an overview of the trail, including an accessible route and a key to help you find what you’re most interested in.
A greenery trail waymarker post
Staff, students and visitors can scan the QR code on any of the waymarkers across campus to find the Greenery Trail webpage, use the interactive map and see what’s nearby. Those who look closely at the waymarker posts might also notice that they are decorated with drilled holes to help them shelter and support our campus pollinator species.
There are even indoor installations to help bring the outside in. You’ll spot these on the windows in Red Route, overlooking Chancellor’s Court; in Mechanical Engineering, looking onto St George’s Field. These window signs incorporate artwork by Dr Robin Hayward, highlighting the leaves, buds, and fruits of tree species the windows overlook. Dr Hayward has previously created the Tree Trail on campus, which can be explored through online resources and physical campus signage.
In EC Stoner, and additional artwork and interpretation sign frame the dawn redwoods – a species of tree that, less than 100 years ago, was thought to be extinct.
Window signs bring the Greenery Trail indoors and identify the trees behind them
Rather than prescribing a single route, the Campus Greenery Trail highlights different opportunities to engage with nature – whether you have five minutes between meetings to notice the wildlife nearby, or a longer break to explore a green space you didn’t know existed.
The Campus Greenery Trail enables our community to enjoy green spaces on campus in new and inclusive ways – whether that’s getting involved with biodiversity monitoring, spotting different species of trees and wildlife, or simply taking a moment to rest and reflect in nature.
For more information about the Campus Greenery Trail, visit the Campus Reimagined website or explore the trail online.