Our green story

At Northumberland College, sustainability and conservation underpin everything we do. Our mission is to be as sustainable as possbile in all of our activities, from transport to the zoo for visitors to disposal of our waste and ensuring the items we sell in our gift shop ar made from recycled materials.

We have Green Tourism certification and we're continually working towards this standard to improve our sustainability.

Our green story includes leading by example and taking steps to reduce our impact on the environment. The zoo is a member of Biaza, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariumns. Through our memberships, we are dedicated to employing sustainable practices, as well as engaging our visitors and the community on how we can achieve a more sustainable society.

Our sustainability policy

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Sustainability at Nortumberland College Zoo

As an accredited member of Green Tourism, we are comitted to being as green and sustainable as possible. The choices we make can reduce our impact of the the environment.

We encourage our visitors to help us conserve the environment around us by making more sustainable choices, such as:

At Northumberland College Zoo:

  • Conserve energy - you can reduce energy use by switching off lights and closing doors when the heating is turned on.
  • Give the car a rest - Leave the car behind, if only for a day. Walk, cycle or use public transport if possible.
  • Shop local - use local products and learn more about the local area. You'll be supporting local businesses and the local community.
  • Reduce, reuse, recycle - try to avoid overly packaged goods and take reusable bags when shopping.
  • Be water wise - turn off the tap when brushing your teeth and adhere to towel policies or other water saving initiatives.
  • Repect nature - help us to look after the landscape and wildlife by not littering, guarding against fire and using footpaths or cyclepaths responsibly

Support us to be more sustainable

Learn how you can become more sustainable and work with us to support the environment around us. Here are a range of different ways that you help:

At home:

  • Switch to LED lightbulbs and turn off lights when not needed
  • Unplug chargers and devices when not in use
  • Use energy-efficient appliances (look for A-rated)
  • Reduce heating by 1°C and wear a jumper instead
  • Collect rainwater for garden use
  • Compost food scraps to reduce landfill waste
  • Buy fewer, better-quality clothes - avoid fast fashion
  • Use eco-friendly cleaning products (less harmful to waterways)
  • Line-dry clothes instead of tumble drying
  • Reuse jars, tubs, and bottles instead of buying new containers

Shopping and food choices:

  • Buy seasonal, locally grown fruit and vegetables
  • Eat less meat - choose some plant-based meals
  • Avoid products with palm oil (linked to deforestation)
  • Choose products with minimal or recyclable packaging
  • Support local farmers’ markets
  • Grow your own herbs or vegetables - even in pots or windowsills
  • Bring reusable bags, bottles, and coffee cups everywhere
  • Plan meals to cut food waste
  • Freeze leftovers and surplus fruit/vegetables
  • Buy second-hand items or swap clothes with friends

Travel and transport:

  • Walk, cycle, or take public transport instead of driving short distances
  • Car share with neighbours or friends
  • Take UK-based holidays rather than flights where possible
  • Keep tyres properly inflated for fuel efficiency
  • Learn basic bike maintenance to extend its lifespan

Community and lifestyle:

  • Share tools or borrow items instead of buying new ones
  • Attend local repair cafés or host a 'swap shop'
  • Write to your MP or council about supporting wildlife corridors
  • Learn and teach others about native UK species
  • Celebrate eco-friendly days with family activities (e.g. Earth Day, Hedgehog Awareness Week, etc.)

In the garden or outdoor spaces:

  • Plant wildflowers or native British plants for pollinators
  • Leave a patch of lawn unmowed for bees and butterflies
  • Create a log pile or leaf pile for hedgehogs and insects
  • Add a small pond or bird bath for amphibians and birds
  • Build or buy a bird box, bat box, or hedgehog house
  • Avoid using pesticides and herbicides
  • Plant a native hedge instead of a fence (this makes great habitat and windbreak for wildlife)
  • Grow climbing plants (e.g. honeysuckle) for shelter and nectar
  • Collect rainwater for watering plants
  • Leave fallen leaves under trees as winter shelter for insects

Helping local wildlife beyond your garden:

  • Join a local wildlife trust or community nature project
  • Take part in citizen science projects (e.g. RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, Butterfly Count, etc.)
  • Pick up litter during walks (especially plastics and fishing line
  • Report injured wildlife to local rescue centres
  • Keep cats indoors at dawn and dusk when birds are feeding
  • Use wildlife-friendly bird feeders and clean them regularly
  • Avoid artificial grass as it can destroy soil life
  • Campaign for wildflower verges or rewilding in local parks
  • Support local beekeepers who use ethical practices
  • Help schools to plant wildlife gardens or vegetable patches

Find out more about our conservation projects

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