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Hedgehog Friendly Campus

The University is part of the Hedgehog Friendly Campus initiative which aims to support the species' path to recovery. We have a core working group with representatives from Communications, Grounds and Sustainability as well as staff and student members. However, in order to have the biggest impact we need to recruit a team of volunteers to support us at events, get involved in litter picks, develop fundraising initiatives and lots more. If you would like to get involved or join the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Volunteers Teams group, please email us at sustainability@warwick.ac.uk.

We’re very proud to announce that University of Warwick has been awarded a Gold AccreditationLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window for being a Hedgehog Friendly CampusLink opens in a new window, just one year after achieving Silver status. Achieving a gold award means a great deal to our community as it reflects our growing commitment to becoming a more environmentally friendly campus.

In the past year, students and staff at Warwick have:

  • organised regular litter picks – sign up now for our ongoing Wednesday Warwick Wombles litter picks hereLink opens in a new window,
  • worked with local community, such as providing information about the risks of bonfires to local businesses,
  • ran a bug hotel making session. These bug hotels, located near to the student allotments, provide a habitat for invertebrates, which are the hedgehogs' main source of food.
  • conducted hedgehog surveys on the main and Wellesbourne campuses - we will continue with these in the coming years. If you would like to participate in these surveys, email us at sustainability@warwick.ac.uk to request being added to the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Volunteers Teams group where we advertise these activities. If you would like to borrow the footprint tunnels that we use for our surveys, please email sustainability@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window with the details of your survey plans. Hedgehogs will be out of hibernation in spring, so it is the ideal time to do a survey.
  • We have now put up two 'Slow down - Hedgehog Area' signs. These are located on Leighfield Road and we hope to get more in future. Traffic is very dangerous for hedgehogs and other small mammals so by putting these signs up, we hope to reduce this risk and encourage drivers to slow down.

Some hedgehogs have been spotted on campus in recent years, however we don't have a clear understanding of where they are present. We have put up a number of camera traps and conducted footprint tunnel surveys, both of which we will continue in the coming years.

If you see a hedgehog on campus or elsewhere, you can log it on the Big Hedgehog MapLink opens in a new window. If you are able to take a picture of it from a distance (please never handle wildlife just for the sake of a photo), you can report your sighting on iNaturalistLink opens in a new window.

Find out how you can help hedgehogs to survive and strive in your area with tips to make your garden hedgehog-friendlyLink opens in a new window.

Another way you can get involved is by signing up as a Hedgehog Street Hedgehog Champion hereLink opens in a new window. It is free to register. Hedgehog Street Link opens in a new windowis a campaign funded by The British Hedgehog Preservation Society and People's Trust for Endangered Species with the goal of transforming gardens and your local areas into places that are safe for hedgehogs. Please be aware that this is a different scheme to Hedgehog Friendly Campus. Once registered, you get access to lots of materials such as ideas for activities and a space to share hedgehog stories.