Themes | Biodiversity | Sustainability at the University of Twente

In balance with nature

The University of Twente is based on the former Drienerlo estate, which measures approximately 146 hectares had features abundant greenery, offices, laboratories, classrooms, shops, sports facilities and housing. We work to preserve forest quality and the contrast between farmland (meadow) and the estate (park), maintaining the historical value of landscape elements such as the park, pinetum, forestland and tree-lined avenues, and creating ample open, green space.

All in all, the campus should not only be a great place to study and work, but it should also exist in balance with the animals and plants that have their home there.

Biodiversity at a glance

The campus is home to many species of plants and animals; the UT seeks to ensure they have ample space to thrive
The UT wants to improve biodiversity further on two selected sites by 2025
Research and inventorization of existing knowledge neccesary to reach these goals is ongoing

PLANNING

Planning biodiversity

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MORE ABOUT BIODIVERSITY

Higher education is working on biodiversity

Dutch educational institutes, including University of Twente, are working to strenghten biodiversity. This video made for World Biodiversity Day 2022 showcases various initiatives.

Green Campus initiative

If you walk around the UT campus and stumble over a temperature sensor in the bushes or notice a new camera on the Horst, you have spotted parts of the new ‘Green Campus’ initiative. Led by ITC researchers, it monitors green areas of the campus and looks into the benefits of this green capital.

FLORA AND FAUNA

In 2017, the flora and fauna on campus were inventoried, which led to the identification of territories of 51 species of breeding birds. Of these species, three are on the 2004 Red List of Endangered birds, namely the spotted flycatcher, the European green woodpecker and the willow tit. The nesting sites of the gray wagtail enjoy year-round protection, and the UT is home to one of them. Several grey heron nests were also found, and the campus is also home to a rather rare species in the eastern part of the Netherlands, the spotted woodpecker. Other birds that can be found populating the campus include the blackbird, wood pigeon, great tit, blue tit, common chiffchaff, wren and finch.

Furthermore, during the field study five bat species were found: common pipistrelle, serotine bat, common noctule, Nathusius' pipistrelle and Daubenton’s bat. These are common species in the Netherlands. There is a large bat house along the cycling path behind the Westhorst.

Ecologist Gerard Lubbers talks about the population of bats on campus

Other species that call the campus home include the common green frog, brown frog, smooth newt and common toad. They can be found in the bank vegetation around water. Hedgehogs, squirrels and beech martens were also observed during the field visits.

PINETUM

Pinetum De Horstlanden, located on the Achterhorst on campus, features a collection of conifers from America, Europe and Asia.