This term, as part of the Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme, we are continuing to work towards our goal of achieving both bronze and silver accreditation this year!

In the lead up to Christmas we held our first events of an introduction session on teams, and a session on ‘Taking care of Hedgehogs’ delivered by a member of the official national HFC scheme. In the new year we held a February workshop on building hedgehog houses in preparation for them emerging from hibernation. Thank you to all who attended the sessions and hopefully you learnt plenty of new and helpful information!

Through February hedgehogs will typically still be in a state of hibernation. If you were to see one out and about at this time, this is atypical and possibly concerning – so please seek advice from a knowledgeable organisation such as the RSPCA or the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. As we move into March, the hedgehogs will begin to awaken and require food and shelter, hence our activities focused on these resources currently.

If you’re looking to get involved, our upcoming events to save the date for are:

• Biodiversity crisis webinar – 20^th March
• Hedgehog survey workshop – 10^th April
• Hedgehog survey – 30^th April

…And more to be announced. If you wish to get involved please complete our sign up form.  Any other questions email sustainability@brighton.ac.uk.

Independently, you may also be able to help hedgehogs in your own gardens by building houses and feeding stations for them. You could even cut holes in fences to create pathways, if you have the appropriate permission from the homeowner. Other helpful hedgehog activities can be found at the websites of:

• the previously mentioned organisations RSPCA and BHPS
• the main Hedgehog Friendly Campus site
• and other organisations such as Hedgehog Street.

Don’t be shy and get involved to help our hedgehogs have a friendly home at the University of Brighton!

Written by Phoenix Messere.

We are excited to announce that the university has re-joined a national scheme to boost the numbers of hedgehogs living on University of Brighton campuses. The hedgehog is one of Britain’s best known and loved mammals, yet they are in trouble with 75% decline in numbers since the year 2000.

The Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme aims to raise awareness of the plight of hedgehogs while taking practical steps to improve their habitats. This brilliant initiative is open to all staff and students, regardless of department, level or knowledge and ability.  There are a variety of ways you can get involved from installing log piles and hedgehog houses, running social media campaigns, to writing blog posts, litter picking and taking part in campus hedgehog surveys.

For 2024/2025 the university aims to renewing its Bronze accreditation (achieved in 2021/22) and work towards the Silver accreditation, but this can’t be done without your help!

Why take part?

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in helping hedgehogs on university campuses and improving biodiversity in general. It is brilliant opportunity to get outside and enjoy UoB campuses, meet new people and volunteer as and when is convenient for you. You will gain transferable skills and will receive a certificate to put on your CV recognising your contributions.

Things you can do:  

• Fundraise
• Be a social media campaigner
• Design and create hedgehog friendly areas
• Conduct Hedgehog surveys
• Campaign for change
• Educate and engage with the community
• Write blogs

If you are interested in getting involved sign up here. 

You can also attend the Volunteers Fair on Wednesday 30^th October 12.30pm-2.30pm, Elm House Atrium, Moulsecoomb Campus to find out more.