A home for hedgehogs
We’re making changes to our green spaces to encourage hedgehogs onto campus.
Welcoming wildlife
Since Surrey joined the Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme in 2019, a dedicated project group has worked together on initiatives like tracking surveys and awareness raising. The group is led by Dr Tara Pirie, Lecturer in Ecology and Conservation.
Going for gold
The Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme, which is funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, has awarded us silver status and now we're going for gold!
We're making our campuses more inviting for hedgehogs and other wildlife by:
- Allowing brambles to grow
- Placing out hedgehog houses and providing log piles for them to nest in.
- Leaving areas of long grass and hedgerows to allow wildlife to move around campus safely.
Are there hedgehogs on campus?
The team have placed tunnels around the University so they can identify if there are hedgehogs on campus and what adjustments can be made to help them thrive.
Hedgehog-friendly ink is painted onto the floor of each tunnel. The pawprints left behind reveal if they're close by.
An irresistible treat is placed inside the tunnel to tempt wildlife to step in the ink
The tunnels are placed around campus in areas where hedgehogs are most likely to be
The team regularly check the tunnels to see if any pawprints have been left behind!
Get involved
If you’ve seen a hedgehog on campus let us know by completing a short online survey. The information you share will help us understand where hedgehogs are on campus, and identify any potential barriers that might be stopping them from making our campus their home.
Community connections
Our hedgehog campaign is in partnership with the charity Wildlife Aid.
If you'd like to find out how to make your green spaces more wildlife friendly or need advice about wildlife in need, please visit their website.