Campus receives prestigious Green Flag Award

It is one of only four UK universities to receive the award.

The University of Exeter is one of a record number of parks and green spaces receiving the Green Flag Award this year, ensuring that even more of us now have access to well-managed, high-quality green spaces. In 2011, 1,288 parks and green spaces will fly either the Green Flag or Community Award, a sign that the value of green space is widely acknowledged as vital to our communities.

The University of Exeter’s campuses are acknowledged as the most beautiful and botanically interesting of any UK university. The Streatham Campus is a registered botanic garden and both Exeter campuses display examples of the University’s national collection of Azara (a South American evergreen shrub) and the second collection of the popular garden plant, Heuchera. The grounds also feature high-quality sporting facilities for students, staff and visitors.

A 31-strong team works on the grounds, nursery and outdoor sports facilities, 365 days a year. The work of the grounds staff includes the care of specialist plant collections, botanical specimen propagation, tree and arboricultural works, pot and bedding plant production, sports playing surface maintenance and award-winning floral decoration works.

The University is continually improving its campus environment and facilities and its £275 million Streatham Campus investment programme is nearing completion.

University of Exeter Director of Grounds Iain Park said: “We are very proud to receive this external recognition of the quality of our grounds and to be one of only four UK universities to fly the Green Flag. The Streatham Campus is an asset to the city of Exeter, and is valued by local people as well our students and staff. The award reflects the hard work that our dedicated staff put in to maintaining the University grounds to the highest standard.”

Phil Barton, Green Flag Plus Partnership chairman said: “I would like to congratulate this year’s winners, who have worked hard throughout the year to keep their parks and green spaces at a high standard and ensure they are pleasant and enjoyable spaces for the whole community.

“The Green Flag Award Scheme, and its growth, is essential in driving up the standards of our parks and green spaces.  Access to quality green space is something we all desire and the scheme plays a key role in providing it.

“In these challenging financial times it is heartening that the number of Green Flag Awards continue to grow.  As the value of green space and the role it plays in our communities strengthens, we must ensure these high standards remain.”

All award-winning sites now have the chance to receive a further award from the Green Flag Plus Partnership, the People’s Choice Award.  This award is voted for by the public, so if you want to see your local park receive a national accolade as the people’s choice, then visit the Green Flag Award website now to register your vote.