Green Flag awarded to Leeds Beckett University’s Headingley Campus

The campus offers a mix of traditional and modern buildings, complemented by a diverse range of landscapes, including manicured lawns, thriving biodiversity zones, woodlands, and wildflower-filled spaces. It also serves as a sanctuary for various wildlife species within its grounds.

Alex Dobson, Head of Buildings and Grounds at Leeds Beckett University said: "The award provides us with international recognition and is a significant achievement, reflecting the Grounds Teams' commitment to providing high-quality green spaces for our students, staff, and the wider community. It is the benchmark international standard for publicly accessible parks and green spaces in the UK and around the world.

"Winning this award means that our Headingley Campus has met rigorous standards set by this scheme, demonstrating excellence in areas such as horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability, and community involvement."

Congratulating this year's winners, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: "Prioritising parks and green spaces is vital for our future, so we are delighted to see that 2,227 sites have met the standards required for a Green Flag Award, reflecting the tireless work of those tasked with looking after these important national assets.

"We know beyond doubt that our local environment contributes to the wellbeing of individuals and communities, with our parks and green spaces recognised as areas where people can come together and be active. Research shows that time spent in green spaces can positively affect mental and physical health, quality of life and a sense of wellbeing.

"We believe the standards expected in the Green Flag Award should be a minimum for every park, and it is our ambition that by 2030 we increase the number of sites achieving Green Flag Award status even further so that people across the world, wherever they live, can access and enjoy safe, high-quality green space."

Jen Bridger, Grounds Maintenance Manager: "The Green Flag Award positions LBU as a leader in campus sustainability and green space management and recognises out efforts in providing a high-quality environment for our students, which can positively impact their wellbeing and learning experience. It also highlights our commitment to maintaining green spaces that benefit not just our university community but also the wider public."

Leeds Beckett University are committed to embracing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) across all its work and are investing in greening the campuses and courses to ensure the university is playing its part in tackling the climate emergency. The award aligns with an reinforces Leeds Beckett's broader sustainability goals and initiatives.