Helping hedgehogs this winter

Hedgehogs are one of the UK’s favourite native mammals, but sadly numbers have declined by 50% since the year 2000.

Expanding urban areas are changing the environment hedgehogs live in, resulting in a lack of accessible food and water, increased amounts of litter, more road traffic and accidental poisoning.

Here are Northumbria we are doing everything we can to support our local hedgehog population by taking part in the national Hedgehog FriendlyCampus campaign.

Universities typically have a large footprint in urban areas with abundant green spaces – a potential island idyll in the city for hedgehogs – and the campaign aims to turn university campuses into hedgehog homes, highways and habitats.

Last year we gained Bronze Hedgehog Friendly Campus accreditation and are now working towards achieving Silver.

We have had lots of support from staff and students, who have taken part in events such as litter picks and a fundraising hedgehog-themed bake sale.

Student Lovisa Martinell, a final year Law with International Business student at Northumbria, is a Campus ambassador for Hedgehog Friendly Campus.

She has recently written this blog post in which she explains some of the ways we can all do our bit to help save hedgehogs from extinction.

Keep up to date with Northumbria’s Hedgehog Friendly Campus activity through our website and social media channels – follow @HogHeroesNU on Twitter and Instagram.