Biodiversity implementation programme 2024

Planned implementation

The implementation programme is based on the biodiversity policy jointly adopted by Radboud University and Radboudumc and the biodiversity vision they commissioned. 

The following is planned for 2024:

Terrain Huygens Building
A biodiversity plan was drawn up in 2023 for the grounds around the Huygens Building. This will be implemented in 2024.

Rainwater drainage
Due to climate change, we are increasingly experiencing heavy rainfall in a short period of time on campus. In 2024, work will be carried out on natural rainwater drainage on the grounds of the Maria Montessori Building, Elinor Ostrom/Gymnasion and the Huygens Building.

Foil windows Huygens building
Sometimes (special) birds fly into the windows of the Huygens Building because they cannot see that glass. Therefore, research is being done to apply special film that the birds can see (and people cannot).

Walking map
The online walking map of the Radboud Campus was launched on 4 April during the national ‘walk to/during your working day’. With this map, you can choose from various walking routes (e.g. with themes such as sports, sustainability or art) and with various corresponding points of interest including on biodiversity. 

Giphouse
Computing Science students (FNWI) will carry out two projects as part of ‘Giphouse’, a software company for and by students. They have been tasked with developing an app that allows staff and students to easily connect with fun, beautiful or interesting trees on the Radboud site. A second assignment is to create a nitrogen footprint of our organisation. This is similar to a ‘carbon footprint’, but not for our impact on climate change but on biodiversity.

Biodiversity communication
We will implement the communication plan drawn up in 2023 for a more structured and lively form of communication in 2024.

Implementation of fixed elements of site management:

• Dead trees remain standing or lying.
• Dead branches remain (loose or stacked).
• Creation of more relief, sandy spots and steep edges.
• Hedges may grow taller and thicker.

Research and preparation

Biodiversity policy update

In recent years, we have learned a lot about protecting and restoring biodiversity on campus grounds. We now know better what are and what are not sensible interventions. And we see around us how national policies on biodiversity are evolving. We want to incorporate these new insights and experiences of the past policy period in an update of the current biodiversity policy. Next year, we will discuss this with all stakeholders and interested parties.   

The following projects are in preparation or under investigation: 

Livening up and greening Linnaeusplein
In consultation with Campus Life, we are investigating how Linnaeusplein can be made more liveable. This will also include biodiversity. 

Green Corridor
A plan has been drawn up to enable the ‘Green Corridor’ across the Radboud site. The aim is to create a natural (walking) route along the railway on the north side of the campus, as part of a route right across Nijmegen, from the river Waal to the forests south of the city. Funding for this will be sought in 2024. 

Repair wadi building Woman and Child
The soil of the old wadi behind the Radboudumc's Woman and Child building has become very permeable and is doing its job a little too well. A plan is in preparation to repair it so that it will hold more water for longer and longer. The expectation is that more and other plant and animal species will then discover this place.

Filling in Geert Grooteplein
When the work on the Researchtower is completed, the Geert Grooteplein will be refurbished in a way that is favourable to the restoration of biodiversity. 

e-Load square and greening of access around Zernikeplein
The area around Zernikeplein will be accessible only to electric vehicles by 2024. The area will be restored and will have a greener look with restoration of biodiversity.

Start of site planning around Radboudumc plan East
In 2024, the planning of the grounds around plan East Rumc will start. This will include the restoration of biodiversity as a plan of requirements.

Transition
At various locations on the campus, research is being carried out into how to create a more fluid transition from the forest (tall trees) to the park (grass) by adding shrubs, plants and herbs of different heights. This could be applied, for example, to different sections of Willem Nuyenslaan, on the south side of the campus. Here, attention will also be paid to creating more shaded areas.

Permaculture and mowing policy
In consultation and cooperation with the Campus & Sustainablity working group of the University Student Council, the project group will investigate whether a part of the campus can be designed according to permaculture principles. In addition, students' desire is to cut even less grass. 

Rest area
Another part of the forest area on the south side of the campus (Houtlaan) will be closed to public access in 2024. Here, attention will be paid to necessary and logical connections (routes). With this cordoning off, the area will enjoy more peace and quiet, possibly allowing flora and fauna to develop and expand better. We will monitor the development of this area together with adjacent publicly accessible areas for comparison.

Monitoring

To determine the effectiveness of the measures, it is important to monitor the development of biodiversity on campus and thus evaluate and, if necessary, adjust the biodiversity policy. This involves questions such as: when do you know you are ready? Is it progressing well enough? Or are we actually doing very well? We use the ‘biodiversity yardstick’, the instrument to monitor biodiversity on campus. In 2024, the following actions are planned for this purpose:

Tiny Forest and Disveldpad
Monitoring the development of biodiversity in the Tiny Forest and the forest planting around the Disveldpad.

Trees Radboud Campus
Mapping the trees on the site, with a special focus on the monumental trees. We include all trees on the Radboud Campus in Opentrees.org

Animal counting days
We organise monitoring of birds and soil animals on campus at different times of the year. On International Biodiversity Day (22 May), we held a BioBlitz: a challenge to observe and record as many different species as possible on the campus grounds in a short time.

Dream species
We will also monitor ‘dream species’ in 2024. These are charismatic or otherwise attractive species that are likely to become established on campus if managed properly. If such species appear (and reproduce), it is a good indicator confirming the success of management.

Collaboration

Many people are interested in nature on campus and at the same time have concerns about biodiversity decline. The biodiversity policy aims to cooperate as much as possible with all these people and organisations. We are thinking primarily of our own students, scientists and other staff. 

From 2024, a student representative from the University Student Council (USR) will participate in the biodiversity project group and we will intensify cooperation with our own ecologists. 

People outside the organisation with a biodiversity plan of their own are also always welcome. For these people, structured consultation is possible in the Klankborgroep (the Radboud Sounding Board Group Biodiversity). There are also opportunities to participate in separate activities, such as the annual bird count or events during the International Day of Biodiversity. Permanent consultation partners are Wijkraad Brakkenstein and Nijmegen municipality, but also other universities and academic hospitals in the country.

More information on biodiversity on campus