Gold Marks for a Hedgehog Friendly University Campus

A national accreditation programme funded by The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), has seen 13 Universities given the highest Gold Award.

The programme works to encourage Higher education institutions to join in bringing hedgehogs back from the brink of extinction. The University of Lincoln, UK, has committed to the campaign and has received top marks in the form of a gold accreditation.

Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of College of Science at the University of Lincoln, Libby John highlighted, “I am delighted that we have achieved this award which reflects the hard work and dedication of our Estates team in ensuring the campus hosts the widest variety of biodiversity.”

The University has been working to develop positive approaches to create a sustainable campus. Their sustainability strategy includes three key strands; Sustainable Campus; Sustainable Culture and Collaboration for Change.

A green space specific project, kitchen garden, rewilding projects and a hedgehog friendly campus have built the formations of a more sustainable environment.

To achieve the award, a checklist of criterions including key events, initiatives and actions were completed. This included staff, student and community-led events to help raise awareness, ‘hogitats’ built across campus, close monitoring of the hedgehog population and clean up for hedgehogs – to name a few.

In addition to the award, the Hedgehog Friendly Campus campaign also ran a Volunteer of the Year scheme by which the University of Lincoln Hedgehog Friendly Campus Campaign lead, Alexandra Foxley-Johnson was recognised as a joint winner out of 8 nominees.

Alex was the driving force of the campaign at Lincoln, organising litter-pick, bake-offs, building hogitats, making posters and signage.

Alexandra Foxley-Johnson, lead of the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Campaign at the University said, “We are so pleased to have been awarded the Gold award, this campaign not only benefits our campus and city hedgehogs, but all local wildlife.

“Since joining Hedgehog Friendly Campus, we’ve installed habitats and road signs, rewilded areas on our estate and run mammal survey workshops and much more. It is our hope that in the future, we can work with local businesses and community groups to make Lincoln a truly hedgehog friendly city.”

Listed as ‘vulnerable to extinction’ on Britain’s Red List since 2020, Hedgehogs are now at a 50% decline in rural areas and 30% decline in urban areas. To highlight the decline, members of the team cycled 30km in a single bike ride from Lincoln City Centre to emphasize the 30% loss, raising £350 during Hedgehog Week in May 2021.

Jo Wilkinson, Programme Manager at Hedgehog Friendly Campus said: “We want to take this moment to thank all of the volunteers at the University of Lincoln who have taken part over the last three years, including creating new habitats, continuing hedgehog surveys and even campaigning in the local community.

“With the state of Britain’s hedgehogs, your help is more important than ever.”

For more information on the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Campaign and to find out ways of how to get involved, visit: visit: Hedgehog Friendly Campus – Estates (lincoln.ac.uk).

ENDS