The University of Liverpool Hedgehog Friendly Campus group is a group of University staff and students working together to improve outcomes for hedgehogs on our campuses and in local communities. We undertake a number of activities and are currently working towards our gold re-accreditation.
Get involved
Activities include volunteering, awareness raising, hedgehog surveys and training. If you are interested in getting involved please get in touch with Zoë, Vikki or Steph!
University of Liverpool Hedgehog Friendly Campus Scheme key contacts:
- Zoë Chapman: ZChapman@liverpool.ac.uk
- Vikki Marshall: vikkim@liverpool.ac.uk
- Steph Dolben: sdolben@liverpool.ac.uk
Why do hedgehogs need our help?
The number of hedgehogs in the UK has plummeted by as much as 46% in the last 12 years. There are perhaps just a million hedgehogs left in the UK, representing a 97% fall from the 30 million estimated to have roamed the UK in the 1950s.
This decline has been in part attributed to loss of hedgerows and familiar countryside habitats, increased litter, busy roads and impermeable garden fencing and walls, significantly impacting on their survival. In August 2020, hedgehogs were added to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
How can I help?
There are a number of easy ways in which we can all help hedgehogs at home. If you have a garden or outdoor space, you can make some simple changes which will really help hedgehogs.
Check if any hedgehogs are visiting your garden
In this short film, Steph demonstrates how to check whether you have hedgehogs in your garden.
Discover how to help the hedgehogs in your garden
Making a hedgehog highway between your garden and your neighbours is an easy way to help our prickly pals!
Once you have a hedgehog highway, ensuring that hedgehogs have access to food and water will make a big difference to hedgehogs all year round.
In this short film, Vikki shares a few tips on how you can help the hedgehogs in your garden.
Make or buy a hedgehog home for your garden
A great way to provide shelter for visiting hedgehogs is to make or buy a hedgehog house.
In this short film, Zoë demonstrates how to make a hedgehog home for your garden.
Remember: the two most important things you can do to help hedgehogs are to make your garden more hedgehog friendly and to spread the word on ways in which we can all help hedgehogs!
Found a hedgehog?
If you find an injured or vulnerable hedgehog in your garden or on the road, contact your local hedgehog rescue for advice as soon as possible.
For those living in North West England or North Wales, please contact Jacksons Animal Rescue.
For those living in other areas, you can find your local rescue online.
The Hedgehog Street website has advice on how to tell if a hedgehog is in trouble and what to do if you find a hedgehog that looks to be injured or unwell.
Hedgehog activities
Download our hedgehog puzzles, quizzes and colouring sheets
Download our hedgehog craft kit
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