Wildflowers and the Campus Apiary

Actions for Pollinators at UCC

UCC, like all Green Campus registered institutions, is incorporating the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s All Ireland Pollinator Plan in the maintenance of our grounds and the implementation of new projects. As part of an internship position with Green Campus, Fiach Byrne, a recent graduate of the BEES School in UCC, prepared a Pollinator Plan for UCC. You can read the UCC Biodiversity Action Plan 2018-2023.pdf.

Following on from this project, UCC took the decision to reduce mowing on all green areas of campus (except for the Quad and President’s Garden) and to plant a large wildflower meadow on the Lower Grounds. Pathways are cut through the wildflower areas to allow staff and students to experience the feeling of being immersed in nature. Signs made from upcycled pallets were created to inform people that areas were being managed for biodiversity. This new policy of reduced mowing will be written into campus landscape management tenders and contracts from now on.

UCC Wildflower Gallery

UCC Campus Apiary

UCC also installed a number of beehives at the North Mall campus in the Spring of 2018. The hives are managed by local beekeeper Thomas Quigley and in their first year provided a bumper crop of “Alma Nectar” honey, which can be bought in the UCC Visitor’s Centre.

UCC Apiary and Honey Gallery

More information on actions for pollinators can be found on the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s website