Following its continued work to make its campus hedgehog friendly, Staffordshire University has been awarded Bronze Hedgehog Friendly Campus status. And it’s not stopping there, the University is now going for the silver accreditation.
Hedgehog Friendly Campus is a national programme funded by the British Hedgehog Perseveration Society (BHPS). It aims to recognise and award UK primary schools, colleges and universities that modify their campuses to improve habitability for European Hedgehogs and help combat the declining hedgehog populations.
To achieve the award, Staffordshire University has implemented a variety of actions and changes across its Stoke-on-Trent campus.
A hedgehog home, named Hedgehog Quarters, has been added for hedgehogs to occupy for their maternity, summer, or winter nests. This sits alongside a bug hotel, home to beetles and many other insects, allowing hedgehogs to feed freely next to their home.
In November, the University took part in the Big Hog-Friendly Litter Pick Challenge, collecting 28 bags of litter in total. Reducing the amount of litter lowers the risk of hedgehogs becoming trapped or tangled in rubbish and suffering from cuts or deep wounds when they try to free themselves.
Other hedgehog-friendly measures include, conducting surveys to detect hedgehogs on campus, creating awareness posters, and adding warning labels to groundskeeping equipment, encouraging staff to check for hedgehogs before undertaking work.
Jess Caldwell, who is doing an MSc Applied Research at Staffordshire University, has been driving the change on campus. She is currently researching the factors affecting the distribution of European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in gardens of Stoke-on-Trent.
Jess said: “Staffordshire University is committed to becoming a more sustainable University and reducing our environmental impact. This award recognises our progress towards our goal of achieving major changes in environmental sustainability through research, innovation and enterprise, and student and civic engagement.
“There are many reasons why hedgehogs are important, and the most important reason being they are seen as an indicator species for the health of our environment. When hedgehogs are thriving, it is an indicator that there is a plethora of insects available to eat, and the habitat quality and connectivity is suitable to sustain the local hedgehog population.
“Hedgehogs are now classified as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN). This classification indicates there is a reduction in food availability for the hedgehog, a lack of connectivity between greenspaces and increased interaction with man-made hazards (roads, cars, gardening equipment, pesticides), which we are trying to change here at Staffs.”
Going forward, Staffordshire University has big ideas to progress towards the Silver Hedgehog Friendly Campus (HFC) accreditation. There are plans to introduce more hedgehog homes, plant hedgehog-friendly plant species and hold regular litter picking sessions on campus. This can make the campus a safer place for hedgehogs and other small mammals, allowing free movement across the University’s greenspaces.
Jess also wants to host hedgehog-themed events to raise awareness and fundraise events for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), as well as changing policies and procedures, and undertaking more hedgehog presence surveys.
Jess added: “Students can get involved by signing up to our Hedgehog Friendly Campus (HFC) Society on the Student’s Union website. The membership is free and students can join anytime of the year. Staff are also always welcome to get involved, especially to help with our progress towards the Silver Hedgehog Friendly Campus accreditation.”