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Hedgehog Champions

Calling all hedgehog champions! Are you ready to make a difference for these wonderful beings? Join us as we work together to create hedgehog-friendly spaces throughout the city. With a few simple changes, we can make a big impact on hedgehog survival and support other wildlife too. Let's dive in and become true champions for our spiky friends!

become a hedgehog champion

Hello to all the hedgehog champions out there!

 

We're thrilled that you're interested in making your school, scout, guide, or youth group more hedgehog-friendly. Hedgehogs face many challenges in urban environments, but with a few simple changes to your garden, you can help these adorable creatures not only survive but thrive. And the best part? The changes you make will benefit not just hedgehogs, but a whole host of other wildlife, including birds, butterflies, frogs, toads, and even bats!

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We've put together a list of top things you can do to create a hedgehog-friendly environment:

how you can help:

1 / install a hedgehog box or feeding station

You can either make one yourself, following the instructions in the video provided below, or request one from us (subject to availability). Hedgehog boxes can be specially designed to provide a safe and cozy home for hedgehogs, complete with a feeding station to ensure they have access to food and water. Get in touch via email or social media to find out more about how you can obtain a hedgehog box or DIY instructions.

2 / Provide fresh water and Food

Hedgehogs often struggle to find enough water and suitable food sources in urban environments. Help them out by leaving out a shallow dish of fresh water and hedgehog-friendly food, such as meat-based cat or dog food (not fish-based), crushed cat biscuits, or specialized hedgehog food. Avoid offering milk, bread, or mealworms, as these can be harmful to hedgehogs.​

3 / create shelter with a log pile or compost heap

Hedgehogs love to hide and nest in natural debris like log piles and compost heaps. These provide essential shelter from predators and harsh weather conditions. You can create a simple log pile by stacking logs or branches in a quiet corner of your garden. Similarly, a compost heap made from fruit and vegetable peelings, leftovers, or autumn leaves can serve as a cozy retreat for hedgehogs. Just be sure to avoid using any chemicals or pesticides in your compost, as these can harm hedgehogs and other wildlife.

4 / Build a pond

Ponds are not only great for hedgehogs but also support thirsty bees, birds, and frogs. A well-maintained pond can provide a vital water source for wildlife, particularly during hot and dry periods. It also attracts insects, which in turn attract birds and bats. By including a pond in your garden or community space, you'll create a thriving ecosystem that benefits a wide range of species, including our spiky friends, the hedgehogs.

5 / Create hedgehog highways

Create pathways for hedgehogs to move between spaces. You can do this by making small holes in wooden fences or replacing fences with hedge barriers. Hedges are ideal for hedgehogs, so if possible, opt for hedges over fences. If you have a metal fence, consider digging a small tunnel underneath it to allow hedgehogs to pass through freely.

6 / reach out to neighbours

Spread the word about supporting hedgehogs to your neighbors or others living near your school, scout hut, or hedgehog habitat. Share tips and resources, including leaflets, to encourage everyone to get involved in creating hedgehog-friendly spaces.

How to help hedgehogs in your garden:

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Bevois Town Primary school

In January 2024, we were delighted to award Bevois Town Primary School as Hedgehog Champions for their dedication to supporting local hedgehogs by adopting a number of hedgehog-friendly initiatives on their grounds.

 

Through their forest school programme, students engage in outdoor activities, fostering a deeper connection with nature and reducing screen time. Throughout 2023, students built a shelter to create a hedgehog hotel, a dedicated hedgehog highway spanning the entirety of the school's parameter, all whilst continuing their learning about the importance of protecting local native species.

 

The school's forest school is unique in urban Southampton, emphasising the importance of nurturing children's love for nature as well as highlighting its positive impact on their overall wellbeing and development. With a focus on hands-on learning, the school aims to instill a sense of responsibility and care for the environment in the younger generation, supporting them to become future stewards of our world.

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