Welcome to the second 2021 edition of our regular sustainability newsletter during lockdown. In each issue, we'll round up online activities and webinars not only provided by our team and the university, but also some from around the world.
The Big Garden Birdwatch
Running between 29 - 31 January 2021.
This month, why not spend an hour each day counting the birds you see in your garden or balcony for the Big Garden Birdwatch? Bird watching became a favourite and restorative pastime for many of us last year, and we're hoping to continue watching our feathered friends in 2021. You can sign up below:
Let us know if you'll be taking part - we certainly will be. Make sure to take photos/videos if you are able. You can tag us on Twitter: @uolenvironment
Our top bird feeding tip: don't forget to wash your feeding stations regularly and to provide fresh water - break the ice on top if it's cold out!
Hedgehog First Aid
It's the time of year where many people are starting to think about tidying up gardens and green spaces (when the weather permits). Please be mindful of hedgehogs still in hibernation - log piles, leaf mounds or compost bins might have a hog in residence!
Last March, the wonderful Jo Wilkinson (Hedgehog Friendly Campus) presented a Facebook Live talk for us on Hedgehog First Aid. If you'd like to watch it and find out how you can best help our favourite prickly mammals, you can click on the link below. The talk lasts for about an hour.
It's the perfect time of year for soup!
Words by Tracey Turton
I find that winter is the perfect time for soup, and for those with a vegetable garden or a keen eye on supermarket prices, you'll know which veggies are in season and which ones will make the perfect, delicious soup!
One of my favourite things to do is to check my veggie draw, chop all the leftover veg, chuck it in the soup maker and let it work its magic. Usually there's sweet potato, leek, carrots, onion and parsnips a plenty. (I can smell my next soup simmering away as I type!)
If you've not started planning your vegetable garden for the year, why not consider the following ready for next winter!
- Leeks
- Onions
- Parsnips
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Winter Squash
- Celeriac
BBC Good Food have compiled a list of their ten favourite winter recipes for you to indulge in:
The ECO Award & Community Map
This month has seen the launch of the ECO Award by Bailey, VP Campaigns & Environment. A simple and easy checklist which teaches students about the global crisis and doing your part to make the planet healthier, this award is a great stepping stone to becoming even more active in caring about the environment. Details below:
The Community Map has been created by VP Wellbeing and Community, Lucy, and students. An easy way to view all of the organisations and destinations across Lincoln that our community may in interested in, from places of worship and beauty salons to cafes and castles. It also includes our brilliant green spaces and parks.
Nature's focus: The Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)
“All natural things both live and move / In natural peace that is their own;” ― Bessie Rayner Parkes
Words & photos by Alex Foxley-Johnson
Each week, we'll focus on an animal that has been spotted in our city. This week, we're talking about roe deer.
There are six types of wild deer that live in the UK. Roe deer are a native species and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, heathland, farmland, the occasional garden...and also our campus!
Roe deer are another fairly elusive mammal, they step lightly over the ground and tend to run if you get too close, or if a loud noise surprises them. They have a distinctive pale rump and short antlers.
These animals have been spotted on the Brayford campus in the last year, as well as at Riseholme and at a variety of city green spaces, including Hartsholme and West and South Commons.
You can spot these deer at any time of the year and day, although we've found we're more likely to see them in the evening or early hours when its a bit quieter.
Some key roe deer facts:
- Roe deer young are called "kids" and are the only young deer called that out of the six species in the UK.
- When startled, they bark - a similar noise to that of a dog.
- Most likely to see at Twilight or the early hours.
- You can often spot them at the edge of a woodland - where they'll make a mad dash back to the trees if you startle them.
- They have no tails, although does (the female deer) do have "tufts".
- Bucks, male roe deer, have antlers which are heavily textured and appear almost bobbly.
- Their coats are mostly brown but do lighten to bright rusty red colour in the Summer.
Extra resources:
Video above, roe deer at Hartsholme in January 2021.
What's on:
- Bee Together talks - these free talks are presented by industry experts and include the following; Pollinators and Pollination: Nature and Society, B-Lines and The Hidden Lives of Garden Bees. Dates and booking details are available via the link below:
- Winterwatch 2021: why not explore all about our wildlife in Winter on a cold dreary evening? More information below:
- Nature Live - the Natural History Museum has a schedule of free events inc. talks next week on Bye Bye Plastic (27 January 2021 12.00-13.00) & Hidden: Animals in the Anthropocene (29 January 2021 16.00-16.45).
- Learn about Badgers - The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are running an online, interactive, family-focussed event focussing on teaching children about badgers, what they look like, where they live and how to care for them. Thursday 28 January 2021 19:00.
January Campaign - Stay Warm for Less
Our theme for January is #StayWarmForLess - which is particularly important whilst most of us are working from home.
Here are some of our top tips to save energy whilst keeping toasty:
If you want to review any of our previous newsletters, check out our library on our website below:
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Credits:
Images & words by Alex Foxley-Johnson & Tracey Turton