Earlier this week TV presenter and naturalist David Bellamy sadly passed away.
The County Durham-based broadcaster was very influential during the construction of Sunderland AFC’s Academy of Light.
At the time, chairman Bob Murray enlisted the ecologist’s help to advise in the development of the areas surrounding the training facility.
As a result, wetland was introduced, and the water used to hydrate the pitches at the academy is recycled back into these wetlands.
Following Bellamy’s advice, a large area of woodland was also planted, introducing a variety of tree types.
The academy area only accounts for 60 acres of the 220-acre site; the remainder is maintained as a wildlife preserve.
