The University of Warwick has been awarded Gold in the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Awards.

The national award, part funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, aims to protect hedgehogs, enhance their habitats, and create awareness about their conservation.

The Hedgehog Friendly Campus initiative is a collaborative effort that involves teams of students and staff working together to make significant, positive changes for hedgehogs and other wildlife around their educational institutions. 

This year, Warwick’s dedicated team has shown exceptional commitment and innovation in their efforts, earning them Gold Accreditation for 2023-2024.

Teegan Hayden-Smith, Sustainability Coordinator, said, “We are thrilled to have been awarded our Gold Accreditation from Hedgehog Friendly Campus. Thank you to all the volunteers who have supported us in our initiatives to help hedgehogs on campus.

“This year we ran a hedgehog survey in the local community, supported a student project analysing the quality of habitat available for hedgehogs on campus.

“We’ve created a campaign video to raise awareness of our work and what people can do to support hedgehogs, along with other wildlife. Going forward, we will continue to care for the hedgehogs and other wildlife on campus.”

The University’s campus is home to three hedgehog homes and 13 bug hotels – spaces made of stacked up pallets and filled with bark, twigs, bricks, pebbles and other natural materials.

These provide a great source of food for hedgehogs, as they are home to invertebrates such as beetles and woodlice, which hedgehogs love to feed on.

To achieve the Gold level award, an organisation must take practical steps to help hedgehogs. At Warwick, this included road traffic warnings for known hedgehog crossing points, and working with the Grounds and Gardens Team to support wider wildlife by planting hedgerows and almost 5000 square meters of wildflower turf.

The University was awarded Bronze Accreditation in 2022 and achieved Silver last year –showing the continued commitment of Warwick to enhance campus for wildlife. This is part of Warwick’s wider commitment to sustainability, which includes a commitment to a net zero campus by 2050.

The video below was created as part of the University’s submission, which shows the hard work that goes in to achieving Gold status.

ENDS

For more information contact the Press Office:

press@warwick.ac.uk

07392 125 605