# Biodiversity on campus

**Source**: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/about-um/sustainability/sustainable-operations/biodiversity-campus
**Parent**: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

One of UM's sustainability ambitions is creating a green and healthy campus. This means not only incorporating nature into public spaces by creating green walls and roofs, but also maintaining a healthy biodiversity on UM's grounds, for example building nesting areas for bats, sparrows and the like, planting trees, transforming grassy areas into flower meadows and so on.

Already in 2020, UM started the development and application of the concept ‘nature inclusive campus’. The underlying thought is that a larger biodiversity also contributes to the wellbeing of staff and students. Green surroundings not only offer relaxation and inspiration, but also help with heat stress during the summer and water storage during wet periods. Furthermore, UM owns a number of valuable inner areas and century old ramparts. The UM grounds offers therewith also sanctuary for special species, such as the pale corydalis.

In cooperation with the Sustainability Office the Facility Services department is constantly working on creating more green and more life on UM campus. Read the following [article](https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/news/more-green-more-life-how-fs-working-biodiversity-campus "More green, more life: how FS is working on biodiversity on campus") to see how exactly they work on that.

Tapijn Chills landscape

## Working on the grounds

Several projects have already been completed to create a greener UM campus. During the activation programme Green Impact in 2020, students and staff were asked to introduce project proposals for a more attractive campus. Two Green Impact project proposals resulted for the areas Grote Gracht 90-92 (inner city) and the Universiteitssingel 40 (Randwyck). At the Grote Gracht the pavement has transformed into a garden in which we reused different materials (sand and tiles) and use native plantation to create a habitat for birds and other small fauna.

At the Universiteitsingel 40, we planted 15 nut trees, laid a hedge, and created a flower garden. Where the field used to be empty, students now sit and have lunch and relax. During realisation, the student initiative [UM strolls](https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1ggaeDKrgz2WHL-C8uPin5RGc2XlLdrDy&ll=50.835923070128516%2C5.708858499999994&z=16) developed a walking route with a special seating area. The route is about 5 km long and passes all buildings of the Heath Campus at Randwyck. The walking route also has a [social sofa](https://www.observantonline.nl/english/Home/Articles/id/58509/the-student-the-dean-and-the-banana) that is integrated into the landscape of Universiteitsingel 40.

Furthermore, the university complex at Randwyck in cooperation with Centrum voor Natuur- en Milieueducatie (CNME) realised different [bee hotspots](https://www.cnme.nl/bijenhotspots-in-maastricht/), i.e. a mound of three soil types for wild bees nesting in the ground. The soil is sown with plant species important to bees, such as snakeweed. Up until now, 64 species of wild bees have been identified, including the early sand bee.

Design of the garden at Grote Gracht 90-92

At Tapijn an ecological and recreational landscape with wildflowers has been created. On these Tapijn Chills, students and visitors of the city park can relax and enjoy the biodiversity. Meanwhile, a five-star insect hotel has also been realised on the hills by the CNME ([link](https://www.cnme.nl/bericht/cnme-ontvangt-vijfsterren-bijenhotels-van-sparkle-foundation/)).

## Biodiversity Challenge

UM is stepping up efforts to enhance biodiversity at our campuses. In May 2025, we took part in the Biodiversity Challenge (also known as BioBlitz) to actively involve students and employees. We organised three successful activities: Biodiversity 101, Bee Hotspot Maintenance and Moth Trapping Night. Read [here](https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/ums-first-bioblitz-came-end "UM's first BioBlitz came to an end") the recap article about the Bioblitz 2025.

In 2026 UM will take part again in this challenge. Stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming program. Visit the [Biodiversity Challenge page](https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/about-um/sustainability/sustainable-operations/biodiversiteit-op-de-campus/biodiversity-challenge "Biodiversity challenge").

Watch the video impression of our event at the Bee Hotspot during the 2025 BioBlitz event. At UM we have a biodiversity hub where 63 different bee species have already been identified. We have started a pilot with the ‘biodiversity yardstick’-methodology by IPC Groene Ruimte. Together with a student-assistant we have started a pilot to identify opportunities at the campus to increase biodiversity by improving natural habitat. We are looking for staff and students to use the yardstick-methodology and promote biodiversity at their faculty. If you are interested, contact the Sustainability Office.