Biodiversity on campus
In its development plan, the University of Jyväskylä has pledged to promote planetary well-being as well as to follow the action models of sustainable development.
The University’s unique, historically stratified green environment is an important part of the entire green landscape network of the City of Jyväskylä and also an integral part of the city’s Green Loop.
According to nature inventories, especially Seminaarinmäki has significant natural value, with a number of endangered insect and plant species living in the area. There are also flying squirrels on Seminaarinmäki, and nest boxes for them have been installed in several trees in the area. Similarly, there are numerous birdhouses for different bird species as well as for local bat populations. You can also find wood avens (Geum urbanum), which is a scarce plant in Central Finland, growing in the grove-like areas of the ridge in the northern part of Seminaarinmäki.
In the Botanical Garden, several measures and projects have been launched in recent years to promote biodiversity. On campus, you can see newly established and already well-developed meadow areas, different deadwood gardens, “insect hotels” as well as untended areas deliberately left to their natural state.
- Do not use pesticides - remember that pesticides are not selective, beneficial insects and pollinators in the garden also suffer from chemical pesticides
- Reduce mowing and lawn area - establish a meadow or, in grassland areas, favour a variety of species that are well tolerant of trampling
- Collect and use rainwater in the garden
- Don't collect the mown grass or fallen leaves - shred with a mower and leave in place, the soil's micro-organisms will benefit and the need for fertilizer will be reduced
- Add early spring flowering plants and food plants for animals and insects
- Avoid the use of plastics, for example in filter fabrics and irrigation crystals
- Choose the right plants in the right places - reducing the need for watering and fertilizing
- Switch from mineral fertilizers to organic fertilizers - the soil's micro-organisms will thank you
- Avoid using peat as a growing medium - find and ask for alternatives to replace it
- Compost and recycle as much as possible
- Use woody waste for borders, blocks of wood for seating, branches and mixed decaying wood for deadwood hedges
- Also leave areas of the yard untended and avoid unnecessary tillage
- Favour home-grown seedlings and natural plants
- Build a bug hotel
- Relax for a while and let nature take care of you!
