- This new strategy identifies key threats to hedgehogs for conservation NGOs, local councils and Government to address holistically over the next decade in order to halt decline
- Leading conservation NGOs worked with over 30 stakeholders within academia, transport, farming and wildlife rehabilitation sectors to create this strategy, a first for hedgehogs
- Although the strategy targets professionals, there are several ways everyone can help hedgehogs – especially as autumn sets in
The first ever National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy has been published by leading wildlife charities People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS).
The strategy has been designed for conservation NGOs, local councils, farmers, land managers and Government. It highlights the factors causing a decline in native hedgehog populations which urgently need addressing over the coming decade in order to halt the decline and restore numbers in rural and urban Britain. It was developed through a collaborative process facilitated by the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Species Survival Commission. The CPSG has supported governments, NGOs, and civil society groups worldwide for more than 40 years, designing and facilitating strategies to recover threatened species.
The process to develop the National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy brought together experts to identify key threats – including habitat fragmentation and a decrease in natural invertebrate prey – and how to overcome them. The strategy will evolve as new research findings become available and will act as a framework and reference point for all actions relating to hedgehogs in Britain. It also complements the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme, launched earlier this year by BHPS and PTES, which will provide invaluable data on population changes at a local and national level.
Nida Al-Fulaij, Co-Author of the National Conservation Strategy and CEO of People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) explains: “By identifying the key threats hedgehogs are facing and how they are all connected, we can better understand the actions needed to address them; but we can’t do this alone. The National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy acts as a framework for collaboration between policymakers, conservationists, landowners, rehabilitators and communities. Coordinated efforts nationally, regionally and locally are the only way we can achieve our ambition of halting the decline in hedgehogs, and ensuring that this iconic native species becomes a common sight in our towns and countryside once again.”
Fay Vass, CEO of The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) added: “This strategy is a real moment for hedgehog conservation, as we look ahead to another decade where together we can make real change. We hope that the National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy will strengthen existing and ongoing conservation efforts, that industries such as transport, housing development and farming scale-up their conservation work with hedgehogs in mind, and that more people are inspired to help in their own gardens and green spaces. By 2034, I hope the future for our hedgehogs is significantly brighter.”
Grace Johnson, Co-Author of the National Conservation Strategy and Hedgehog Officer for Hedgehog Street (a campaign between PTES and BHPS) said: “Encouragingly, the State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022 report (published by BHPS and PTES) indicated that, whilst rural hedgehog populations are still in decline, hedgehogs in urban areas may be starting to recover, likely thanks to our amazing Hedgehog Champions and the wider public who have made their gardens and local green spaces hedgehog havens. We need this urban recovery to continue, but we also need to see this positive trajectory take place in the countryside too and we hope that by working together we can achieve that.”
While the new strategy is designed for conservation NGOs, local councils, farmers, land managers and Government, there are numerous ways members of the public can continue to help hedgehogs – especially as autumn sets in and they look ahead to hibernation.
For those with a garden, creating 13cm x 13cm square holes in or under a garden fence – known as Hedgehog Highways – to connect neighbouring gardens, is the best starting point. This is crucial as it allows hedgehogs, which are nocturnal, to move between green spaces searching for food, shelter and mates. Once connected, creating wild patches, providing water and places to nest such as leaf and log piles or a hedgehog house, are all great ways to help. And, as autumn draws in, it’s paramount to check for hedgehogs before lighting any bonfires or before mowing or strimming the garden. These actions will help to address key threats identified in the new strategy at a local level.
Those without a garden can help too. Contact local councils and developers to highlight the importance of managing public green spaces for hedgehogs and ask that new-build sites are hedgehog friendly. Raising awareness of the urgent need to help hedgehogs by sharing PTES and BHPS’ guidance and social media posts, and talking with friends, family, neighbours and colleagues about ways they can help hedgehogs, will be invaluable. Becoming a volunteer ‘spotter’ for the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme, which can be done from your own home, is a great way to help too.
To read the full National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy, visit: https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/conservation-strategy/
For more information, free advice and ways to help hedgehogs wherever you live, visit www.hedgehogstreet.org.
*Stakeholders involved in creating the National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy include:
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS), British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (BWRC), Forestry Commission England, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), Gower Bird Hospital, Hartpury University, Hedgehog Friendly Campus, idverde, Institute of Zoology, Institute of Zoology – Garden Wildlife Health project, IUCN SSC CPSG, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Mammal Society, National Farmers’ Union, National Highways, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, Nature Friendly Farming Network, NatureScot, Network Rail, Nottingham Trent University, People’s Trust for Endangered Species, Royal Horticultural Society, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Taylor Wimpey, University of Cambridge/ Conservation Evidence, University of Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit and Aalborg University (Denmark).
– ENDS –
For high-res images, and night-time trail camera footage**, interview and/or filming requests, or for more information, contact Adela Cragg:
T: 07532 685 614
E: adelacraggPR@outlook.com
**NB: Hedgehogs are a nocturnal species and therefore are not usually seen out during the day, unless they are moving nest sites or are unwell. BHPS and PTES therefore do not condone the filming of hedgehogs during daylight hours, or indeed hold such footage and/or still images for media use. We ask that only night-time or dusk footage and/or stills of hedgehogs are used by media outlets, and we have numerous stills and clips of hedgehogs in gardens (walking through Hedgehog Highways, eating, drinking and scratching, to name a few!) which we can supply for such use.
Notes to editors
Available for interview
- Grace Johnson, Co-Author of the National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy and Hedgehog Officer for Hedgehog Street
- Fay Vass, CEO of The British Hedgehog Preservation Society
- Nida Al-Fulaij, Co-Author of the National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy and CEO of People’s Trust for Endangered Species
- Hugh Warwick, Ecologist and Author, The British Hedgehog Preservation Society
About People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES)
● PTES, a UK conservation charity created in 1977, is ensuring a future for endangered species throughout the world. We protect some of our most threatened wildlife species and habitats, and provide practical conservation support through research, grant-aid, educational programmes, wildlife surveys, publications and public events.
● PTES’ current priority species and habitats include hazel dormice, hedgehogs, water voles, noble chafers, stag beetles, traditional orchards, native woodlands, wood pasture and parkland and hedgerows.
● Visit www.ptes.org and follow PTES on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube & LinkedIn.
About the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS)
● BHPS is a registered UK Charity, founded in 1982, dedicated to helping & protecting hedgehogs native to the UK (Erinaceus europaeus). Through our campaigns, advocacy and educational projects we work to raise awareness of the practical steps we can take to help reverse the decline of hedgehogs in the wild, improve their welfare and safeguard the future of this much-loved animal. We also fund research that provides important new insights into the conservation and welfare of hedgehogs.
● Visit www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk and follow BHPS on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn
About Hedgehog Street
● Hedgehog Street is a joint campaign by wildlife charities: the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES). It’s an ongoing project which was launched in June 2011 and encourages people to make small changes in their own gardens, which will make a big difference for hedgehogs. To date, over 120,000 volunteer “Hedgehog Champions” up and down the country have registered to help, but we always need more volunteers!
● A range of academic research projects are currently being funded by BHPS and PTES, aiming to further scientific understanding about the causes for the decline and most importantly what can be done to reverse this threat to this iconic species.
● The free Hedgehog Street app was launched in January 2020 and is available from the Apple Store or Google Play.
● Hedgehog Street is also liaising with farmers or rural landowners, housing developers and greenspace land managers, to help better manage their land to support wild hedgehog populations.
● The charities’ Hedgehog Street garden won Gold at the 2014 RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and People’s Choice Award in the summer garden category.
● Visit www.hedgehogstreet.org for more information.