Bath Spa University has been recognised as having a Hedgehog Friendly Campus after being awarded a Bronze Accreditation by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.
Over the last few months, a team of students and staff from the university, known as the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Team, have been raising awareness of the species’ presence at the Newton Park campus, and making changes to the environment as a result.
Using information gained from a student survey about the animals’ sightings, hedgehog houses were installed to support those heading into hibernation.
While the hedgehogs were in hibernation, the team continued to support them by informing campus users about the increasing threats they are facing including habitat loss, and the dangers of litter, and roads.
The Hedgehog Friendly Campus Team also held a hedgehog-themed online bake-off, and students and staff raised funds for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society by teaming up with the University’s Walking and Mountaineering Society for a 50km walking challenge, raising £130.
A hedgehog house at the Newton Park campus
The Grounds Team have also worked towards the accreditation, by attending training sessions, placing hedgehog warning stickers on machinery, and making safety alterations to cattle grids and ponds on campus.
The campaigners’ next steps will focus on rewilding on campus and in the local community.
Laura Allen, MA Heritage Management student and Hedgehog Friendly Campus Team Lead said: “Rewilding is vital in helping hedgehogs as it allows spaces to become hedgehog friendly as well as supporting other species.
“Rewilding can involve moving away from having ‘tidy’ gardens to include wildflower patches, log piles, compost heaps and gaps in fences.
“As a result of rewilding more wildlife will be encouraged in, to provide hedgehogs with a source of food, and shelter for hibernation with wildlife corridors allowing easier navigation between habitats.”
As hedgehogs begin to emerge from hibernation, the team will continue their efforts and start to work towards the Silver Accreditation.
This will involve conducting more hedgehog surveys, encouraging hedgehog friendly changes on campus via policy and practice, and communicating to the wider community.
