Thursday, August 12, 2010

EXETER COLLEGE is on the lookout for a Project Manager to oversee the establishment of an environmentally-friendly garden within the grounds of Exeter College’s Hele Road campus as it forges ahead with plans to become an accredited Green College by the close of 2010.

The exciting news follows confirmation that its newly-formed Sustainability Group has received £25,000 of funding from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) to proceed with its proposed project, to be known as The Exeter Urban Garden Project.

Situated within mature, walled grounds behind some of the College’s oldest buildings to the front of the main site, the aim will be for students and staff to regenerate an area of disused land, transforming it into a vibrant, sustainable garden and outdoor learning space. It will be accessible not only to those who use the College on a regular basis, but the community at large.

Led by the Foundation Learning Faculty, the Exeter Urban Garden Project will be a focal point of the College’s ambitious Sustainability Programme and it is hoped will become a replicable example of sustainable living for Exeter as a whole.

To be primarily used by entry level, Level 1 and 2, and Skills For Living students, and pupils attending College through its 14-16 programmes for local schools, it will also provide an ideal open art space for students’ creative media and design projects. Completion is expected in May 2011.

Chris Lorimer says: “We are delighted to have received funding for such a valuable and worthwhile project from LSIS. The idea is to be able to provide an educational resource which will be used in a variety of ways to demonstrate how we can all do our bit to protect the planet.

“For example, the vegetables grown in the garden will be used in nearby student kitchens on campus, waste will be composted on site, and rain water collected and used for irrigation.

“In addition, once sheltering and seating have been installed, it will also make a great setting for an outdoor classroom and will be the centerpiece for a number of innovative programmes for College students and schools across the city.”