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!

Farming for Carbon and Nature: Volunteers needed

We’re looking for student volunteers to work with SOS UK and the University to monitor soil carbon and biodiversity on our farmland, near Easter Bush campus. Join us to:

  • Boost your CV and develop your fieldwork and conservation skills
  • Learn more about nature-friendly farming practices
  • Meet other students
  • Enjoy time outside in nature!

Volunteers must arrange their own transportation to Easter Bush, and be available to attend an online briefing session prior to volunteering.


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 2026: 9 February, 20 April, 20 May, 22 June, 20 July
  • 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. 

What is biodiversity? And why is important that we understand our impacts on ecosystems? This course is open to staff and students, and will help you build your understanding of biodiversity and ways to act positively to restore nature.

This course takes six hours for participants to complete. You must first complete the online module, which will form the foundation of our discussion and activities before you attend the interactive part of the training.

  • The online course takes between 60-90 minutes to complete, and forms the foundation for the interactive session.
  • The second part of the training is an interactive session which you will attend either in-person or online.

On completion of both elements of the course you will be given a form to complete.

You will then be issued with a certificate to confirm you have completed the course!


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.


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.

This article was published on