The Singleton campus has its own Biodiversity Action Plan and has seen a host of projects and improvements over the last couple of years designed to support biodiversity.  These include the Campus Nature Trail, launched by Iolo himself in March 2013. This popular initiative between the Sustainability Team, Grounds Team and Bioscience Department showcases the wide range of habitats that are used by wildlife including several species of bats, badgers, otters, foxes and a variety of other small mammals, insects and birds.

The latest addition to the Nature Trail is the ORACLE – the Outdoor Research and Community Learning Environment.  This ecologically sustainable building was created by the Down to Earth Project - a local non-profit sustainability organisation - along with University student and staff volunteers. The ORACLE was constructed using a range of natural and locally sourced materials, all which have the lowest ecological impact on the planet.  The building provides a natural setting for lectures, workshops and group discussions; as well as a place for leisure and relaxation. Community members are welcome to book the ORACLE for special events.

Dr Heidi Smith, the University’s Sustainability Manager said: “Having Iolo on campus to film this episode has provided a fantastic opportunity to further encourage staff, students, visitors and local people to discover the natural history of our lovely seaside campus, walk our nature trail, learn what we are doing for wildlife, and discover the hidden gem that is our own botanic garden”.

For more information on the BBC Wales Great Welsh Parks - Singleton Park episode, to be broadcast on 12th January at 7.30pm on BBC TV Wales, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04xd9z9

For more information about the Swansea University Singleton Campus Nature Trail  go to http://www.swansea.ac.uk/sustainability/singletoncampusnaturetrail. And for more information on the University sustainability policies and team go to  http://www.swansea.ac.uk/sustainability