In 2019, our university embraced the Hedgehog Friendly Campus (HFC) initiative, committing to a four-year journey that culminated in achieving an HFC Gold Award Accreditation in 2022. Impressively, we maintained Silver and Bronze accolades simultaneously.
Originating in 2018, Sheffield University planted the seeds for the Hedgehog Friendly Campus initiative, which burgeoned into a nationwide movement by 2019 with solid support from The British Hedgehog Preservation Society. Today, the campaign extends a warm welcome to all universities, fostering a shared commitment to biodiversity.
Campaign manager Jo Wilkinson emphasises the urgency of the mission, revealing that hedgehog populations in the UK have plummeted by a staggering 50% since 2000, bringing them perilously close to extinction. Regardless of the setting, bustling urban sprawls or tranquil rural landscapes, university campuses wield the power to make a significant impact in safeguarding these enchanting creatures.
The campaign offers three accreditation levels—Bronze, Silver, Gold (and Platinum introduced in 2023)—each features engaging activities such as hedgehog surveys, building hedgehog homes, educating local children, rescue missions, litter picking, fundraising, first aid sessions, and more.
Simone Jacobs (External Estates), who led the campaign, worked to raise awareness within our own university communities and implement improvements across our campus.
Over the four years of our participation in HFC, we conducted hedgehog surveys, enhanced green spaces, communicated threats, engaged in plogging and litter picking events, trained grounds staff in hedgehog rescue, and organised successful fundraising events. Through the Highways for Hogs campaign, hedgehog highways were installed across our campus, making it more welcoming to hedgehogs and other wildlife. Notably, we discovered hedgehogs in our North Village. Our curriculum now includes hedgehogs, and our efforts have been shared with the Bristol Future Talent Partnership to empower young people to make a difference.
Student volunteer Jenny Southall, reading MSci Biology, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “It’s been a fantastic opportunity to work with the university's Gardens and Grounds team and other students who are just as keen on protecting our hedgehogs. What's great about getting involved in the campaign is that you leave behind a legacy with the things you have built on campus.”
Katy Woolliscroft, a Zoology undergraduate and student volunteer, added, “I chose to do this because I love our local wildlife and want to help ensure its future. I hope to work in wildlife conservation, and this has been a great place to start.”
Our Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Professor Judith Squires said:
"I am really proud of the dedication and hard work displayed by our Gardens and Grounds Team, working in partnership with student and staff volunteers to achieve this fantastic recognition.
Our living estate aims to enhance wildlife habitat on university-owned land and support regional and local conservation priorities by developing green infrastructure. Having a natural habitat on campus not only benefits the environment but also improves the wellbeing of our students, staff and visitors.”
You can join on-campus garden activities or participate in the Hedgehog Street Campaign. Share sightings or information on hedgehog habitats using the Big Hedgehog Map to track their distribution in the UK. If you find a hedgehog and are worried, check the guidance on The British Hedgehog Preservation Society's website. In Bristol, you can join local Facebook groups by searching for 'Project Hedgehog' to connect with others working to protect hedgehogs or volunteer at your local hedgehog rescue.
As we celebrate our remarkable achievement in the Hedgehog Friendly Campus initiative, we eagerly anticipate shaping a greener legacy that extends beyond hedgehog conservation. The commitment to biodiversity remains a guiding principle, and we remain steadfast in our dedication to creating a harmonious environment for all forms of wildlife.
In addition to ongoing initiatives for hedgehog welfare, we are actively developing a comprehensive University Biodiversity Strategy. This forward-looking strategy aims to integrate biodiversity principles into every aspect of campus life, fostering a vibrant ecosystem supporting various flora and fauna. The commitment extends beyond hedgehog well-being, contributing to the broader tapestry of the natural world. As we reflect on our achievements, we recognise that the work done today lays the foundation for a sustainable and biodiverse campus for generations to come.
