The University first sowed wildflowers in 2013 at Putteridge Bury campus.

The Putteridge Bury parks and gardens are protected under the ancient monuments act and provide a beautiful and relaxing environment with its mix of mature trees, formal gardens and lawns.

The Putteridge Bury gardening contractors Frost were commissioned to undertake the project of improving bio-diversity on the Putteridge Bury estate.

A disused sports pitch was selected for the project. The pitch had not been in use for some time and was overgrown with grass which had a very low bio-diversity value.

The wildflower meadow is adjacent to the 100-year old apple orchard and the Putteridge Bury apiary which currently consists of three hives. The bees have been very busy in the meadow and we have seen an increase in their honey production.

In 2014 we extended the wild flower meadow project to our Bedford campus where rough unused ground behind the sports facilities was sown.

This was part of the Gateway development building project which included the objective to increase bio-diversity at the Bedford campus.

Photo (top and below): Wildflower meadow at Bedford campus (photo taken in 2015)