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A Campus for Hedgehogs
Welcome to our Hedgehog Friendly Campus initiative
The Plight of Hedgehogs in the UK
There has never been a full national census of hedgehogs in the UK but, back in the 1950s, according to limited data available, it was estimated that there were 36.5 million of them. In 1995 a better, but still incomplete, survey put their numbers at just 1.55 million. Since 2000, hedgehogs have declined by at least 30%.
The People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) compares the decline of UK hedgehogs to that of the loss of the world’s tigers.
We read much about endangered species – in June 2019, as a university, we declared a climate and biodiversity emergency. It can often feel overwhelming as an individual, to know how to help. Well, here on our doorstep is a beloved native species that we can all do something to help – both on campus and more widely in our own gardens.
Hedgehog Friendly Campus
The Hedgehog Friendly Campus initiative is a national campaign for universities who want to protect these much loved native animals. Launched jointly by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and the NUS, the initiative has three levels of accreditation, Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Universities are in a unique position to help conserve our hedgehogs. We have a campus that is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna – one of which is the hedgehog. Join us in our quest to make our campus an environment where hedgehogs can thrive.
We have registered a team and anyone, staff and students, wanting to know more or find out how to become involved can contact us.
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