Urban Biodiversity

Our Urban Ecosystems

Urban biodiversity is any animal and plant that is found in our built environment such as cities, streets, parks, houses or schools. The plants we plant in our gardens and our pets can have an influence on the wildlife that surrounds us.

Jewel Beetle ID Initiative

UWS Hawkesbury Cumberland Plain Remnant Woodland is listed on the Australian Heritage Database as including a Castlereagh Jewel Beetle Habitat and Movement Corridor. The woodlands support a unique assemblage of Jewel Beetle fauna and are an important habitat of four nationally rare Jewel Beetle species and a further eight species that are nationally uncommon. Forty-four species of Jewel Beetles have been recorded from the area which make it one of the most diverse buprestid sites in the Sydney region. In terms of numbers of beetles the area is also amongst the richest sites in the Sydney region.

The UWS Office of Sustainability under the RCE-GWS banner has partnered with the UWS School of Health and Science and the Australian Museum to prepare a Jewel Beetle Identification Kit for use in the Cumberland Plain. The kit will be available in an online format and in hard copy and showcase up to 30 jewel beetles - scientific and common names and a short description of each.

What can you do to help biodiversity?

There are a number of simple things you can do to help biodiversity

  • Conserve habitat or create new habitat
  • Control introduced plants and animals by ensuring you don't dump them in the bush or parks
  • Control your pets as they can damage, injure or kills plants and wildlife
  • Put your rubbish in the right bin as littering can damage, injure or kills plants and wildlife
  • Join a landcare group on campus or in your local council area

Animals on UWS campuses

The UWS 'Animals on campus' policy prohibits dogs and indeed all other animals from all UWS campuses in order to protect the health and safety of all those who attend UWS grounds and to guard the welfare of native animals as well as animals used for research and teaching purposes. Natural fauna are automatically exempt.

The exception to this rule are:

  • assistance animals
  • Australian Defence Force dogs
  • police dogs
  • search and rescue dogs
  • security dogs
  • working dogs

Further information regarding wildlife information and procedures can be found in Part G of the Environmental Management System Operational Control Procedure.