National School of Forestry – environment and facilities
The National School of Forestry at the Newton Rigg campus| of the University of Cumbria provides an exceptional range of facilities for both students and researchers. The campus encompasses over a hundred hectares of Cumbrian countryside, and has been recognised as an incredibly diverse and ecologically rich environment. We are privileged to offer direct access to a wide range of habitats and forest types on-campus, including;
mixed broadleaf woodland;
coniferous woodland;
willow plantations;
a young oak orchard;
wetland
arable farmland and pastureland, and associated hedgerows, shelterbelts, ways, and brooks.
In addition to this variety, we also have a large (and growing!) arboretum, a tropical plant house, temperate and research glass houses, and gardens, all on site. We also have excellent new laboratory facilities. This outstanding set of resources enables many classes and field visits to be conducted just outside the lecture rooms, providing an enhanced learning environment where learningis combined with cutting-edge research|.
Laboratories
Newly built, well-resourced laboratories offer scope for a wide range of practical investigations across our courses. We are currently planning further development of these facilities including a laboratory dedicated to genetic research.
Oak trials
The campus hosts a “Breeding Seedling Orchard” containing English oak (Quercus robur)
seedlings from 40 UK and European locations. This is part of a national network of BIHIP sites offering scope for genetic research and seed production.
BIHIP| sites offering scope for genetic research and seed production.
Short rotation forestry
We have several areas dedicated to short rotation forestry, including willow coppices for biofuels which supply energy to our own vehicles. We are looking at extending this to provide energy to the whole campus.
Arboretum
The original arboretum contains over 200 trees, mixing species and genetic variants. For example, there are a range of Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce) cultivars. A new area has recently been planted, extending the variety of trees available.
Green houses
The tropical house contains a good range of trees, shrubs and other flowering plants suited to warmer, moister environments. Temperature glass houses are used for teaching, research and production of plants for the campus area.
Off-campus
In addition to the resources on-campus, we also own local woodland, plantation and farmland sites in the area. These provide excellent opportunities for study, research, and enjoyment.
Eden Brows
On the banks of the SSSI River Eden, we have 27.3 ha of semi-natural woodland, larch (Larix decidua) plantation, and riparian forest. Boasting a yurt and cooking area, this is regularly used by our own students and by Forest Schools groups for teaching and practical training.
Mungrisedale Sitka plantation
A Sitka plantation on an upland bog adjacent to naturally established native birch forest. The area is soon to be harvested, presenting exciting research opportunities to investigate reversion of a softwood plantation to peat bog.
Low Beckside upland farm
A working upland farm, Low Beckside, Mungrisdale|, with classroom/workshop facilities for visiting students or researchers. Low Beckside also has rights of common for sheep grazing on Mungrisedale common, currently under a Higher Level Stewardship Agreement and an area with several SSSIs and a remnant of important upland oak wood which is currently the focus of research by staff in the NSF.
Wider environment
We are situated on the edge of the high mountains, deep lakes and extensive English forests of the Lake District National Park|. We have good access to stunning locations which support the studies of both our forestry students and our wildlife and conservation students. It is a fantastic environment in which to live and work.