Welcome to Green Lancaster

A partnership between 大秀视频 and the Students’ Union devoted to engaging students, staff, and the local community in practical responses to the climate and ecological emergencies.

Green Lancaster forest image
Male wearing a 'Green Lancaster' branded jacket with volunteers in the distance

Changing the landscape of sustainability

It all began in 2005, when the University and Students' Union formed a partnership that would focus its efforts on promoting activities aimed at raising awareness and engaging with Lancaster students on issues of sustainability. A lot has changed since then, especially the landscape in and around campus. We've expanded as a University, taking on an increasing number of students and a larger estate. As our reach has expanded, so to have our responsibilities for the environment locally and globally.

Fast forward to today, and it's safe to say we've come a long way. We've evolved to become a major platform and voice for people within the Lancaster community to engage with, promote and interact with at a local level. As we continue to drive change on multiple levels across the University and beyond, we are embedding our values and building relationships to ensure that the University does what it can to create a thriving natural environment, reduce carbon emissions and create the sustainability leaders of the future.

Be part of ECO Challenge 2024

The Climate Emergency will remain a hot topic of conversation for years to come and 2024 is no exception. Each year we host a competition between all nine colleges to come up with new and innovative projects that can improve sustainability on campus. This year’s competition kicks-off in January 2024 and will take place over Lent Term.

ECOChallenge
A selection of images to demonstrate sustainability at the University.
The Don't Ditch It team

Don't Ditch It

Don’t Ditch It is back! Donation points have been set up all around campus for students to give away their no-longer-needed household items when moving out of campus accommodation. The project offers a live example of a circular economy, ensuring that items such as clothes, homeware, kitchenware, books and more are reused within the local community instead of ending up in landfills. By donating your household goods you can promote the concept of the Circular Economy and extend the lifecycle of your items for as long as possible. Drop off your unwanted household goods at one of our convenient collection points across campus and help us work with more than 40 charities during summer vacation, as we divert around 45 tonnes from landfill each year.

DDI

Take a look at ways you can get involved with our dedicated events calendar below.

29th Nov

ECOWild?Session: Tree Planting

Wednesday 29 November 2023, 12:30pm to 4:00pm
8th Dec

ECOWild Session: Wild Wellbeing

Friday 8 December 2023, 9:30am to 1:00pm
13th Dec

ECOWild Session

Wednesday 13 December 2023, 12:30pm to 4:00pm

More Events

Sign up for our newsletter

Join Green Lancaster's core team as a volunteer or student staff member, or else collaborate with our network according to your time and capacity. Getting involved is easy and how involved you get is completely up to you. Click the link to sign up for our newsletter, and be the first to hear about our latest news, events and social stories.

Latest News

The Green Lancaster team.

Autumnal Sustainable Lifestyle Festival – pumpkins, soups and crafts!

The Sustainable Lifestyle Festival had something for everyone to get involved in from pumpkin carving to free soup, free costumes and crafts!
Green Lancaster members at Garsdale Pike.

ECOWild Field Trip: Wonderfully Wild Garsdale Pike

On Saturday 14th October, the Green Lancaster team and volunteers supported Wild Garsdale Pike (WGP) for the first ECOWild Field trip of the year in regenerating nature and biodiversity in Garsdale, Cumbria.
Green Lancaster team in Switzerland

Green Lancaster’s Leadership and Sustainability Trip to Switzerland

At the beginning of July, Green Lancaster ran the first ever Sustainability and Leadership trip to Switzerland in collaboration with Global Experiences. 12 students benefited from this unique opportunity and got to develop their skills, knowledge and experience for navigating (and leading) on the challenges proposed by the climate and ecological emergency agenda. 
Students at a bus stop

Explore North Lancashire and Cumbria by bus with ?2 single fares until 31 December 2024.

The Government’s ?2 single bus fare promotion has been extended until 31 December 2024. The programme, which was introduced in early 2023, had originally been planned to expire at the end of June 2023 but will now run until the end of 2024.
Green Lancaster members on an ECO Wild field trip.

Green Lancaster field trip: a day on the farm

On Saturday 20th May, Green Lancaster team and volunteers headed to beautiful Coniston in the Lake District to visit Hollin Bank Farm and carry out ecological surveys and practice traditional skills.
The Don

Don’t Ditch It is back for another year

The end of the academic year can only mean one thing; it is time for the Don't Ditch It project to make its annual comeback! We are pleased to announce that donation points are officially open. 

More News

Projects, campaigns and events

Our projects, campaigns and events are built around the Green Lancaster 10 year plan with activities planned annually and outlined in the Green Lancaster Annual Action Plan. These plans are a key component in ensuring that the objectives set out in both the University's various Sustainability Plans and the Students' Unions Sustainability Strategy are aligned. Our objectives are categorised into the core areas shown below. The corresponding programme of activities and events run all year round and drive physical change, spread awareness and produce real results.

  • Transport and Mobility

    Promoting healthy and active travel locally and facilitating a modal shift to low-carbon travel nationally and internationally.

  • Biodiversity and Agriculture

    The ECO-family of projects; ECOHub, ECOWoods and ECOWild; innovative and sustainable solutions to rejuvenating ecosystem-services and agricultural production.

  • Energy Supply and Demand

    Analysing patterns of energy consumption and prioritising efficiency gains towards zero-carbon living and workspaces.

  • Resources and Circular Economy

    Prioritising the shared and circular economies as the modal solutions to the elimination of material waste.

Join Us

Join the team as a volunteer or ambassador and make a difference. Getting involved is easy and how involved you get is completely up to you. Click the link to sign up for our newsletter, register your interest in our events and activities or volunteer your time to help tackle climate change.

Our community

Since the inception of Green Lancaster in 2005, we've built strong relationships with charity partners locally, regionally and nationally, as well as with members of the local community, student societies and of course our students and staff. Our community is full of determined, forward thinking people who all share a common desire; to make a difference. Our community is always growing and our events are becoming more and more popular as it does but we will always welcome more people to join so take a look below at how you and your friends can get involved.

Green Societies

The Students' Union website is the home for student societies with a sustainability focus. Maybe you have an interest in growing your own produce at the ECO Hub, or perhaps you want to campaign for action on climate change; we can put you in touch with like-minded people via the Students' Union so that you can drive change during your time at Lancaster!

Perspective shot of some jam jars filled with jam

Cycling in Lancaster

Cycling is one of the cleanest, quickest and most enjoyable ways to travel between campus and the city with award winning cycle routes connecting us to the surrounding areas. Click the link to view and download the University's Cycle Routes Map.

Cycle Routes Map