International kudos for St Andrews’ Nature Networks project

A habitat restoration project led by the University of St Andrews has been highly commended in the Nature Positive category of the International Green Gown Awards.

St Andrews Nature Networks was shortlisted for the international award after winning the Nature Positive category at the UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards in November last year.

The project brought together a partnership of local and national land managers to restore and connect natural habitats along 16km of the Fife coastline. Led by the University, the partnership included a range of organisations that contributed 27 sites to the Nature Networks programme.

Over 15 months, 408 volunteers took part in 38 practical conservation opportunities and training sessions, involving students, staff and members of the local community. Activities included creating wetlands, restoring a saline lagoon and introducing a herd of Highland cattle to graze the coastal braes for conservation.

Project partners included Fife Council, Abbeyford Leisure, Kinkell Byre / Rewilding Kinkell, Kincaple Farm, Cambo Estate, Forestry and Land Scotland, Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews Botanic Garden and St Andrews Harbour Trust.

As part of the project, the University created vibrant new habitats on its own estate, supporting its ambition to manage its land more sustainably and enhance biodiversity.

Rich, biodiverse greenspaces provide significant benefits for health and wellbeing, recreation and climate adaptation. They also provide vital ecosystem services, including flood alleviation, pollution filtration and carbon sequestration.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone said: “This recognition reflects the ambition and care behind our work to restore and connect habitats. It speaks to the power of partnership – students, staff and neighbours coming together – to deliver nature-positive change, protecting biodiversity and shaping a resilient landscape for generations to come.”

The Green Gown Awards, delivered by EAUC in partnership with UKRI, are flagship sustainability awards for higher and further education institutions, recognising outstanding environmental practice across multiple categories.

The University will continue to improve its campus for nature through delivery of its Biodiversity Action Plan, which is overseen by a Biodiversity Working Group comprising staff, students and partners.

The University’s Grounds Department will play a key role in managing and protecting these spaces as they establish, while enhancing the biodiversity of the University’s greenspaces. Students will have opportunities to contribute to monitoring and planning, while the Estates, Environment and Transition teams will continue to offer opportunities to volunteer in conservation initiatives.

Further funding is being sought to extend St Andrews Nature Networks and develop new collaborations.

We would like to thank all our project partners for their vision, enthusiasm and commitment to the project, as well as the support provided through the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.