The University of Liverpool has recently joined the Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme, which aims to raise awareness of the plight of hedgehogs while taking practical steps to improve habitats across university campuses. The Hedgehog Friendly Campus project is funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and runs nationally.
The number of hedgehogs in rural areas has plummeted by as much as 50% and in urban gardens by 30% since the year 2000. There are perhaps just a million hedgehogs left, 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, leading hedgehogs to move into more urban environments where litter, busy roads and impermeable garden fencing and walls, significantly impact on their survival.
Zoë Chapman, Business Manager at Ness Botanic Gardens said “By launching the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Scheme at the University, we aim to make our spaces more welcoming to our prickly friends, providing a safe environment for them. By working together we can make the University of Liverpool a hedgehog friendly campus and help bring these charming mammals back from the brink”
Syd Cottle, Director of Estates Management said “The scope, scale and diversity of the University of Liverpool’s campuses affords us a unique opportunity to support this project, allowing the University to make their estate and working practices hedgehog friendly.”
Ness Botanic Gardens is leading this project so keep your eyes peeled for exciting events and activities over the coming months.