As March arrives, hedgehogs across the UK are waking up from their winter hibernation. After months of conserving energy, these small mammals emerge in search of food, water, and shelter. Hibernation typically lasts from November to March, but the exact timing can vary depending on local weather conditions and where you live in the UK. Some hedgehogs may even wake briefly during mild winter spells before returning to slumber.
For schools, colleges, and universities, this is the perfect opportunity to provide a welcoming environment for hedgehogs. By taking simple, hedgehog-friendly actions, campuses can make a huge difference in supporting these much-loved creatures.
Why are hedgehogs important?
Hedgehogs are affectionately known as "the gardener's friend" due to their appetite for common garden pests such as beetles, caterpillars, and sometimes slugs. By naturally controlling these invertebrates, hedgehogs help maintain a healthy balance in gardens and green spaces without the need for chemical pesticides. Supporting hedgehogs on your campus is a great way to encourage natural pest control.
To further enhance their role in pest management, consider adopting organic gardening practices. Maintaining a pesticide-free green space not only protects hedgehogs but also promotes biodiversity. Features like log piles and compost heaps offer shelter for hedgehogs and attract the insects they feed on, contributing to a healthy campus ecosystem.
How can your campus help hedgehogs coming out of hibernation?
1. Provide food and fresh water
When hedgehogs wake from hibernation, they are often hungry and dehydrated. Supporting their recovery is easy:
Leave out shallow bowls of fresh water in green spaces.
Provide meaty cat or dog food (not fish-based) or specially formulated hedgehog food like Brambles.
Avoid bread and milk, as they can make hedgehogs poorly.
2. Create safe and natural habitats
Educational institutions often have large outdoor spaces that can become hedgehog-friendly habitats. Try these simple tips:
Let green areas grow wild – Patches of long grass, leaf piles, and log stacks provide hedgehogs with shelter, nesting sites, and an abundant source of natural food, like beetles, worms, and other invertebrates. Creating these microhabitats encourages biodiversity and ensures hedgehogs have the nutrition they need after hibernation.
Install hedgehog highways – Creating 13x13 cm gaps in or under fences and gates allows hedgehogs to move safely between green spaces. This is especially important in urban or suburban environments where barriers can prevent them from finding food, mates, or shelter.
Provide hedgehog houses – These are small, sheltered boxes that offer a safe place for hedgehogs to rest.
3. Stay vigilant and hedgehog aware
With hedgehogs becoming active, it’s important to keep an eye out to prevent accidental harm:
Check for hedgehogs before mowing or strimming grassy areas. Hedgehogs often nest in long grass or under shrubs, making them vulnerable to garden machinery. To protect them:
Inspect the area thoroughly before starting work. Look for signs of nesting, such as piles of leaves or flattened grass.
For long grass or shrubs, begin by cutting to a height of a couple of feet to make any nesting hedgehogs more visible.
Avoid using pitchforks or other sharp tools without clear visibility, as they can cause serious injuries to hidden hedgehogs.
Cover drains and provide escape routes from ponds to prevent hedgehogs from becoming trapped. Hedgehogs are good swimmers but can drown if they cannot climb out. To ensure their safety:
Cover drains and deep holes to prevent hedgehogs from falling in and becoming trapped.
Provide escape routes in ponds by ensuring at least one side slopes gently or by installing ramps. These ramps can be made from materials like wood, concrete, or metal. They should be 150–200 mm wide, have a rough surface for grip, and a slope not exceeding 1:2. This helps hedgehogs climb out safely and avoid drowning.
Drive carefully in campus car parks and roads, especially at dawn and dusk when hedgehogs are most active.
4. Educate and engage your campus community
Raise awareness about hedgehogs by encouraging staff, students, and pupils to get involved:
Run awareness campaigns through posters, newsletters, or social media.
Host events like hedgehog surveys, habitat-building workshops or awareness stalls.
Take part in the Hedgehog Friendly Campus or Schools programme for hands-on conservation activities and support from our team.
Join the Hedgehog Friendly Campus & Schools programme
The Hedgehog Friendly Campus and Hedgehog Friendly Schools programmes offer step-by-step support to help institutions make their campuses safer for hedgehogs, thus supporting other wildlife. Whether it’s through simple actions or larger projects, schools, colleges, and universities can work towards achieving Bronze, Silver, or Gold accreditation.
By signing up, your institution can:
Contribute to national hedgehog conservation efforts.
Engage students and staff in hands-on environmental projects and support biodiversity.
Earn official recognition as a Hedgehog Friendly Campus or School.
These programmes provide guidance and resources, allowing your institution to play a crucial role in creating safer, more sustainable habitats for hedgehogs and other wildlife.
Make a difference this Spring
As hedgehogs come out of hibernation this March, your campus grounds can play a crucial role in supporting their survival. By providing food, water, and safe spaces, you’ll be helping these wonderful creatures thrive.
Ready to take action? Visit the rest of our Hedgehog Friendly Campus website to learn how to get involved and start making a difference today. 🦔
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