15th Green Flag Award for University of Reading

Whiteknights campus green spaces recognised for consistent quality and community access

The University of Reading Whiteknights campus has been awarded the Green Flag for the 15th year in a row, maintaining its recognition as one of the UK's best managed green spaces.

In addition, the Little Learners Nursery achieved a Green Flag with Distinction in the Eco-Schools Accreditation scheme, and the University has been named as a finalist in the Green Gown Awards “Next Generation Learning and Skills” category.

Green Flag

The Green Flag awards highlight parks and green spaces that are well-maintained and provide quality outdoor access to the community.

Once again, the award reflects the consistent efforts of the University grounds team, whose day-to-day work keeps our green spaces looking their best, in a way that promotes sustainability and ecological diversity.

Volunteers such as the Friends of the Harris Garden also help maintain spaces on campus to a high standard for everyone to enjoy.

Andrew Casselden, Director of Estates, said: “Winning the Green Flag for 15 consecutive years is a real achievement and shows the consistency and value of our efforts to maintain our green spaces.

“This award also reinforces our position as a leader in sustainability, with our campus serving both our University community and the wider public, as a space where people can connect with nature while supporting local biodiversity”.

Our green campus

Whiteknights campus features trees, meadows and a lake spread over 300 acres. It was originally owned by the Marquess of Blandford more than 200 years ago, and was purchased by the University in 1947.

Today, the campus provides a home for over 2000 species of plant and animal life, alongside space for walks and outdoor activities. Walking routes of different lengths can be found on the Wellbeing Map and Whiteknights Biodiversity webpages to help you to explore the grounds.

Eco-Schools Accreditation

The Little Learners Nursery provides childcare and early years education on the University of Reading’s Whiteknights campus.

The nursery, which is run by the Reading Students Union, has developed an allotment, taken children on educational visits to the University’s Harris Garden, and set up a ‘junk yard’ play initiative and a second hand shelf for clothes, toys and books.

In recognition of its approach to sustainability, the Eco-Schools Accreditation scheme has awarded the nursery an Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction in its latest round of awards. This acknowledges that the Little Learners Nursery goes significantly beyond the basic Green Flag criteria set out by Eco-Schools, in its sustainability work.

Green Gown Awards

The University of Reading is a finalist in the Green Gown Awards. These awards recognise the sustainability work carried out by higher and further education organisations.

Presenting our work in the “Next Generation Learning and Skills” category, the University of Reading has been commended for embedding climate and sustainability education across teacher training programs.

Winners will be announced in November.