Bath Spa University has been awarded a Gold Accreditation from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society for being a “Hedgehog Friendly Campus”, just a year after achieving silver.
Hedgehogs are listed as vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and their numbers have declined by up to 50% since 2000.
The Gold Accreditation is recognition for staff and students who have worked to make the university’s campuses safe for the creatures, as well as raise awareness of their decline.
In the past year, students and staff at Bath Spa have:
- Established a student Hedgehog Society
- Run a hedgehog-themed reusable cup design competition
- Produced a campaign video highlighting the work being done
- Worked with the local community, such as conducting hedgehog surveys at Corston Community Orchard
- Provided watering and food stations during last year’s drought to help hedgehogs prepare for hibernation
- Offered special training to the Grounds’ Team, to ensure they work in a hog-safe manner and can provide the correct help if a hedgehog is found.
In addition, over 25 students signed up to become Hedgehog Champions with Hedgehog Street.
Julian Greaves, Sustainability Manager at Bath Spa University said: “The Hedgehog Friendly Campus Award has been the best nature-focused engagement activity we’ve ever done and we’re extremely proud to have attained this Gold Award.
“The Award has generated an overwhelming level of interest among staff and students, not only in hedgehogs, but in biodiversity more broadly.
“I would like to thank all the students that have given their time to the project, our Grounds Manager, Penny Snowden and our very own Sustainability Coordinator, Emma Jakins, for all the work they’ve put in over the last couple of years. Our campus is now truly hedgehog friendly and we plan to keep it that way!”
This year, 92 institutions submitted applications to become a Hedgehog Friendly Campus, with accreditations spanning across Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels.