Wild Campus: events, training and volunteering

There are plenty of opportunities to take part in nature positive activities across our wild campus. Find out more and get involved.

A student athlete plants a sapling at Peffermill Playing Fields, helped by other students

Be part of our Wild Campus vision by volunteering to monitor wildlife and natural habitats across our University sites. Volunteering activities and training dates can be found on this page, which will be regularly updated.

Here’s why you should take part:

  • Make a difference: Help bring nature back to our campus and create a better environment for everyone.
  • Boost your wellbeing: Spending time in nature is great for your mental and physical health.
  • Learn new skills: Gain hands-on experience and valuable knowledge.
  • Connect with others: Meet fellow students and staff who share your passion for nature.
  • Enhance your CV: These activities can support your professional development and demonstrate your commitment to support nature and biodiversity.

Join us and make a positive impact on our extraordinary campus!

The National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme returns to Easter Bush this summer. The groundbreaking project, run by The Conservation Volunteers, will monitor hedgehog populations in different habitats across the UK, showing how these are changing year on year.

We're looking for committed volunteers to help install and retrieve wildlife camera traps across Easter Bush.

Volunteers must be able to attend the following sessions:

  • 2-hour training session online via Teams, 7 July 2025, 6-7:30pm
  • Camera installation session at Easter Bush,11 July 2025, 9:30am-4:30pm
  • Camera retrieval session at Easter Bush on 11 August 2025, 9:30-4:30

Important information for prospective volunteers

How will volunteers be selected?

Volunteers will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Can I go on leave in between the volunteering dates?

Yes. The only work required is on the volunteering dates to set up and bring in the cameras and upload the data. 

What if I can’t make the training session?

You must attend training to be able to take part. The training will demonstrate how to set up the cameras, calibrate them and give instructions for working on site, confirm locations, logistics etc. 

If I’m ill on the day of one of the volunteering dates, who do I contact?

Emergency contact details will be shared with volunteers closer to the session dates.

If I have a disability or accessibility requirements, can I still volunteer?

The work will involve venturing off path for some of the camera locations, for example into areas of woodland. Please let us know if you have a disability or accessibility requirements when you complete the volunteer registration form as there are some more accessible locations that we can allocate you to.

If I don’t get a spot is there another way I can get involved?

Applicants who aren’t chosen as volunteers can still help out with the National Hedgehog Monitoring Project by classifying the uploaded images.

Find out more via MammalWeb [external]

Can staff use this as their Day to Make a Difference?

Yes! If you’re a University staff member you can use your day to make a difference. To find out how, visit the volunteering checklist

How to use your Day to Make a Difference

 


Join the Active Lives team at Easter Bush to maintain the native tree species that our students and staff have planted at Easter Bush. This is to help create habitats for wildlife and boost our mental and physical wellbeing.

  • Dates for 2025: 14th July, 11th August, 16th September, 13th October, 3rd November, 1st December
  • Time: 10:00am to 1:00pm
  • Clothing: Suitable for outdoor activities, waterproof coat and sensible walking shoes or old trainers.
  • All equipment is provided i.e., gloves, spades etc, you do not need to bring anything. 


The National Hedghog Monitoring Programme (NHMP) will produce robust hedgehog population estimates across the UK. This will enable researchers to assess regional habitat differences and detect changes in hedgehog numbers over time. Staff and students at the University of Edinburgh helped to deploy a network of cameras at Easter Bush to capture hedgehog and other wildlife activity.

Now we need your help to classify all the images! Help to classify wildlife from Easter Bush by creating an account on Mammal Web. You'll then be able to select the NHMP project, and choose "NHMP - Edinburgh 1".

You'll then be able to review photos from the camera traps and identify the wildlife in the images.


two women attach a camera trap to a tree in a field

Accessibility Information for outdoor events and activities

  • The level of activity will vary depending on the nature of the task, but can be moderate or strenuous.
  • Reasonable fitness is required as there might be tool use, manual handling and walking through forest and off paths.
  • Availability and location of toilet facilities will vary depending on the activity.
  • Please get in touch with the the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability if you have any questions about accessibility requirements for a particular activity.

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