Green Impact: Norwegian Study Centre’s efforts to improve biodiversity
Posted on Monday 28 July 2025
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Back in June, we recognised the incredible achievements of our Green Impact teams across the University; groups working to make their offices, labs, and departments more sustainable.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing highlights from teams who have gone the extra mile with special projects.
This week’s spotlight features the Norwegian Study Centre, who were awarded Platinum at this year’s Green Impact ceremony for their work to boost campus biodiversity.
Read their full story below.
Tell us about your Green Impact project. What did it involve?
Our project was about increasing and improving biodiversity in the local community, whilst also inspiring the next generations to take action, focusing particularly on hedgehog homes and buildings for bugs.
The first part of the project involved working with others at the University of York to create a large bug hotel near to the Norwegian Study Centre using reclaimed pallets.
The second part of the project involved working with nineteen local children aged 5-7 around hedgehogs and bugs. This included sharing age appropriate books and resources and creating artwork and building bug hotels from recycled and reclaimed items.
What were the impacts or outcomes of your project?
There were three impacts of this project. These included:
- Improved biodiversity near to the Norwegian Study Centre.
- Quality education for local children.
- Benefits to the health and wellbeing from being in and around nature.
Now that your project has finished, what do you hope to do going forward?
The Norwegian Study Centre bug hotel and developed teaching materials and curated resources will be used in the 2025-2026 academic year as an example for visiting in-service teachers and teacher training students from Norway and the wider nordics at primary level (ages 6+). We hope that they will replicate the study in their home neighbourhoods.
And finally, tell us what you enjoy about being involved in Green Impact for those who are considering joining the scheme.
This project was a great example of team working and team building both in building the large bug hotel, but also in working with local children. It's good to feel that these small actions benefit everyone.
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A huge thanks to the Norwegian Study Centre for sharing more about their Green Impact project. We wish them success on future sustainability projects!
About Green Impact
Green Impact is a sustainability accreditation programme that recognises and rewards environmental practices among staff and students in colleges and departments. Teams work through a workbook to complete sustainability actions and earn points. There are bronze, silver, gold, platinum and diamond (for teams who have achieved Platinum for 5 years in a row) levels.
Green Impact 2025/26 will open again in September 2025. Stay tuned for key dates and announcements.