University College Cork (UCC) has risen nineteen places in one of the world’s leading education rankings with particular strengths for internationalisation and sustainability. It comes on the back of an eleven-place improvement last year.

UCC Community Garden, though founded and carefully tended by students in 2009, is open to the entire UCC Community. It receives generous care and attention from a select few UCC staff and retired staff, but it remains an unvisited mystery for many who work on our green campus. 

National Biodiversity Week, a project supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service which is implemented by the Irish Environmental Network, various organisations and passionate individuals across Ireland, is a celebration of nature and nature connectedness.

To celebrate National Biodiversity Week, which runs from 17 - 26 May, the Office of Sustainability and Climate Action joined forces with the Glucksman Gallery and Cork City Council to run a special event called “Creative Wanderings” on Tuesday, 21 May 2024.

UCC Community Garden is now in full swing. Seedlings are being planted into warmer soil, birds (such as Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit and of course Robin, the gardener’s friend) are calling and singing. Peas, salad leaves and a plethora of herbs are amongst the greenery that’s ready to eat.

Accompanying this vibrancy is increased use of outdoor spaces on campus. With better weather, now is the time to study outside, take lunch time walks along UCC’s biodiversity trail, and soak up the diversity of the campus’ no-mow areas.

Ravens nesting on UCC's campus become part of nationwide conservation project.

Celebrating the awarding of UCC's fifth Green Flag are Mark Poland, UCC Director of Buildings and Estates, Deirdre O'Carroll, An Taisce Green-Campus Manager, UCC President Prof. John O'Halloran, Dearbhla Richardson, UCCSU Environmental & Sustainability Officer, and Dr Maria Kirrane Head of Sustainability and Climate Action.

Lots of Green Shoots Events coming up in March including the opening of the Cavanagh Way BiodiversityTrail. Be sure to take the time out to enjoy some of these events.

UCC is privileged to host a variety of green and blue spaces on its grounds. On main campus, we have numerous places where you can enjoy the benefits of time spent in nature.