The Firs environmental research station

Situated in the heart of the University’s Fallowfield campus is a green oasis for research, teaching and community engagement.

Discover more about each of our areas of activity:

General

Research

Community

Sustainability

Wellbeing

Teaching

Community

Although the Firs is not at present regularly open to the public, interested groups and individuals are encouraged to contact us to arrange tours or explore opportunities for volunteering. The site is used by various student societies as a base for community-related activities. We can also provide a venue for team-building events.

We can host educational activities that meet the needs of school groups from KS2-4, by special arrangement.

Case study

Community food boxes

Manchester Food Partners: Commit to Community is a newly formed student-led initiative, which aims to address food insecurity in the local community. A rally of dedicated student volunteers come together weekly to sow and grow vegetables in the Firs’ greenhouse and polytunnel. The seasonal and sustainably grown food is then distributed to different local food banks and community schemes, such as the Oldham Foodbank. MFP hope to grow a diverse range of vegetables to give to the community, whilst also educating peers about sustainable food systems.

Explore the various biomes at the Firs, plus tour the exterior and grounds of the site. 

Find us

Get in touch with the Firs team, or come and find us in person:

Address

The Firs Environmental Research Station
The University of Manchester
Fallowfield Campus
Whitworth Lane
Manchester
M14 6HE

• E: firs@manchester.ac.uk
• T: +44 (0)161 257 2772
• University's interactive map