Brontekst bekijken van Greening Campus Environments

{{Concept
|parent=Projects (Green Office)
|category group=HZ Green Office
|category type=Project
|hide title=true
}}
{{Heading
|background color=#e4ecf3
|heading=Greening Campus Environments
|start date=2024-09-01
|summary=At the HZ, we have two unique gardening projects: the Community Garden and the HZ Garden. These spaces give students the opportunity to grow their own food, learn about sustainable gardening, and connect with nature. Find out more here!
|image=HZ Vlissingen garden, beautiful, pretty, aesthetic, flowers, green, blue sky, sun, neat, summer IMG-20240610-WA0000.jpg
|contact=Ingrid de Vries
}}

== Living Lab for Sustainability ==
With the help of many students, since 2020 we have developed several green spaces around the school campus at HZ Vlissingen, based on permaculture and food forest principles. The goal is to have a diverse  landscape where both students and employees can learn about permaculture, food production and biodiversity. Making our campus green provides many benefits, such as improving health (mentally and physically), improving biodiversity, reducing heat stress, noise pollution, water retention and improving overall attractiveness. Our green school spaces also function as a living lab for sustainability.

==== Research ====
The HZ students conduct research for The Green Office through a minor or internship. Some of the best research conducted yet can be read here. You can click on the green titles down below, and the research PDF file will open automatically.

'''HZ University greening strategy. Community diagnosis and design recommendations (Aleksandra Zietek & Romy van Buuren, circular economy minor students)'''

This research focused on greening strategies for the HZ and recommendations related to how to improve communication and increase participation among students, in order to recruit for The Green Office, and help to contribute to sustainability-related activities on the HZ.            

'''Regeneration of the HZ student garden (Sidney Williams, engineering student)'''            
            
This research focused on how to make the garden become regenerative. There were problems with heavy metals (lead contamination) and this research explored solutions on how to absorb the heavy metal and stabilize the soil conditions. Additionally, it focused on how regenerative practises and materials that can be used to renew the quality of the soil.      

'''Regeneration of contamination agricultural soil (Rosheena Hassell, chemistry student)'''      

Immobilization of lead in contaminated agricultural soil      

Using biochar amendment to regenerate the soil and immobilize lead from being absorbed into the tissue of plants that are grown in the HZ garden soil. Based on past research, biochar captures contaminants in its available pores on its surface. Due to biochar being a very porous black carbon, it also improves water retention, increases fertility, improve air and water circulation, traps carbon that may deposit on the soil (climate adaptivity), promotes microbial biodiversity and much more. The main aim of the research is to determine the efficacy of biochar amendment on immobilizing lead in soil to prevent crops from absorbing it from the soil.       

'''Mini Wetlands (Watermanagement students)'''      

In our modern world full of technology, more and more people are seeking out nature. It offers a surprising number of solutions to problems that we often try to solve artificially. A good example is water purification. In wetlands, low-lying areas that are flooded, water is filtered naturally. Various processes play a role in this simultaneously. Think of adsorption, filtration, biological degradation, sedimentation and absorption by plants. Together, these processes ensure that sand, clay, nutrients, pathogens and even metals disappear from the water before it flows further. This is done by micro-organisms and aquatic plants.      

Because wetlands take up a lot of space, there are compact variants such as helophyte filters. This setup gives students the opportunity to learn about the system on a small scale. Under the guidance of the Water Technology research group, students are conducting research into the use of Nature-Based Solutions for cleaning polluted water and removing phosphate from peat meadows.

==== Food Forests & Permaculture ====
Permaculture is a way of growing food, in which you work together with nature instead of against it. It is based on a healthy soil and diverse ecosystem, in which you always leave the soil covered. Food forests are designed to create a self-sustaining edible ecosystem that mimics the natural structure of a forest. A food forest consists of multiple layers of edible plants, including:

🌳 Tall trees (like fruit and nut trees) providing shade and structure

🌿 Shrubs (such as berry bushes) offering nutritious fruits

🍃 Herbs and ground cover (like thyme, oregano, and wild greens) improving soil health

🍄 Fungi and decomposers contributing to a rich, fertile environment

Different from traditional agriculture, a food forest is low-maintenance and highly sustainable. Once established, it requires minimal intervention, as plants naturally support each other through symbiotic relationships (an ongoing interaction between organisms of different species). This method aligns with permaculture principles, promoting a balanced ecosystem that benefits both people and nature.

We are storing rainwater by different pools and rainwater collection tanks, allowing for an eco-friendly irrigation system that reduces water waste and ensures a steady water supply for plants. 

==== Get involved! ====
Students have the opportunity to help with planting, maintenance, and research. Greening our campus is a work in progress, and we are always looking for enthusiastic participants to help shape its future. By getting involved, you will not only gain hands-on experience in regenerative practices, sustainable food production, learn about edible wild plants and flowers, biobased building materials and supporting biodiversity, but directly make a difference by contributing to a greener and more resilient campus environment!
== Student Garden ==
Since 2019, the HZ Green Office has managed its own student garden. This garden is located next to the APV student housing in Vlissingen. Originally a former piece of building land with poor soil quality, almost nothing wanted to grow on it.

The garden has been transformed into a flourishing green oasis through permaculture principles. By enriching the soil and planting a variety of native trees and plants, fruit trees, berry bushes, and vegetables, this once lifeless area has become a thriving ecosystem.

[[File:2022_Sitting_Area,_Student_Garden.jpg|right|487x487px]]

In 2021, a wadi (a natural water collection system) was introduced, using rainwater from the adjacent hospital's roof to keep the garden hydrated and resilient. The garden is not only a space for students; neigbourhood children play in the garden and the hospital staff regularly stop by for a cup of coffee.

To keep the garden thriving, we organise regular gardening sessions where students can help with maintenance, plant new crops, and learn about eco-friendly gardening techniques. These sessions are a great way to get hands-on experience, meet like-minded people, and contribute to a greener campus. 

Currently, we are in the process of reshaping the Student Garden into a community garden, in collaboration with Buurtteams Vlissingen. 

Do you want to know more or are you interested in joining? Everyone is welcome! Whether you have gardening experience or are just curious to learn, you can contact us via Instagram DM or email greenoffice@hz.nl to get involved! 
[[File:HZ Garden.png|651x651px|right]]

=== Get Involved ===
[[File:Team_APV_Garden.png|547x547px]] 

We wholeheartedly invite students, staff, and community members to participate in our projects and events. Whether you’re looking to volunteer, earn HZ Personality points, or simply want to contribute to a greener future, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved! 

Would you like to be part of either/both these initiatives? Join us and make a difference! Contact us via Instagram DM or greenoffice@hz.nl to learn more!
=== Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals ===
Through our nature activities, we are actively contributing to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
[[File:SDG's 3,15.png|left|377x377px]]