Latest news with #HedgehogAwarenessWeek
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Campaign launched to save hedgehogs as population declines by 75% in 20 years
A campaign has been launched to help save Britain's hedgehogs. a platform for hiring tradespeople, is urging its community to assist in making gardens more hedgehog-friendly. This comes as the hedgehog population has plummeted by 75 per cent over the last two decades, primarily due to habitat destruction from urban expansion and housing developments. The initiative is part of a larger campaign to raise awareness of the issue across the UK. James Lewis, a gardening expert from said: "Even if you only have a small garden or driveway area, there are improvements you can make to support hedgehogs. "A really important step to take is to make sure that the animals can access your garden from other areas, so cutting a small hole in the bottom of fencing or hedging can be really beneficial to them. "Building a hedgehog house is also a great way to help provide shelter and protection - and can easily be done with a small amount of timber." READ: Guided bird watching walk to take place at Brownsea Island Gardening expert, James Lewis. (Image: MyBuilder) According to MyBuilder data, a quarter of Brits have never seen a hedgehog in the wild, a figure that rises to 40 per cent among those aged 18 to 34. Yet, 73 per cent of people in the UK expressed interest in helping hedgehogs in their gardens. The MyBuilder guide, created by professionals passionate about increasing the British hedgehog population, offers simple steps to turn gardens into hedgehog sanctuaries. These include leaving some areas wild, avoiding pesticides or slug pellets, checking the garden before mowing, building a hedgehog home, covering drains and ensuring constant access. See the full steps at: Sharon Jacobs, a senior nurse from Tiggywinkle's, the world's busiest wildlife hospital and a specialist in hedgehogs, said: "This guide provides great basic steps for British gardeners to take to really create an area that is supportive to the safety and health of hedgehogs. "On top of this, we would urge gardeners to take care when mowing, strimming or hedgecutting. "We see thousands of injuries from this sort of activity every year, and it can be easily avoided by checking the areas you are working on before starting." For more information on the campaign and how to help during Hedgehog Awareness Week, visit the MyBuilder website.
Scotsman
07-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Nearly a quarter of people in Scotland have never seen a hedgehog in the wild - as trades unite to Help the Hedeghogs
Industry experts estimate that hedgehog numbers have been decimated in the last 20 years, and, sadly, new research indicates that many Scots have never had the privilege of seeing a hedgehog in the wild. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... To help raise awareness of the issue, the week commencing May 4 has been designated as 'Hedgehog Awareness Week', with the aim of educating Brits on how serious the issue is, and how they can support these stalwarts of British wildlife. Now, according to new data from the reliable way to hire tradespeople, 24 per cent of all Scottish residents have never seen a hedgehog in its natural habitat. And it's a problem that seems to be getting worse. While more than 80 per cent of the over 55s we surveyed across the UK had seen wild hedgehogs, in the 18 to 34 age range this dropped to only 60 per cent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This means that almost half of young adults have never seen hedgehogs in their natural habitat - not surprising when experts believe numbers to have declined by 75 per cent since the year 2000. Hedgehog Awareness Week The MyBuilder stats showed that 57 per cent of people in Scotland had noticed the decline in hedgehog numbers. But despite these creatures now being rare, they are still one of the nation's favourites. A whopping 78 per cent of respondents said they found hedgehogs cute. A quarter of Scots stated that hedgehogs were their favourite British wildlife animal, and they're ready to help, too. Over (57 per cent) admit that they have noticed a decline in numbers in their local areas over the last few years. But happily, over two thirds (67 per cent) say they would be interested in helping hedgehogs live safely in their locality. It's a view echoed by who has launched its Trades to the Rescue: Help the Hedgehogs campaign to help provide the right guidance for Brits to turn their environments into a hedgehog haven, as well as encouraging their tradespeople to raise awareness and share advice with their customers. The MyBuilder guide has been put together by professionals who are passionate about helping bolster numbers of British hedgehogs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gardens are vital to keeping hedgehogs safe and protected, and significant improvements can be made while balancing it with the reality of what is achievable in the majority of gardens. From building a hedgehog house, to providing access between gardens, there are options for everyone, and the guide will continue to be adapted as the year progresses. Andy Simms, from said that adapting gardens has been credited by hedgehog experts as making a massive difference to the welfare of hedgehogs. 'Simple changes can make such a difference, and don't have to cost much, either. Consider leaving wild areas, installing a little hedgehog house, and covering up any drains or holes that could be a hazard. Our guide will give you plenty of budget friendly ideas - and our expert gardeners are on hand to give any advice should you need it.' Sharon Jacobs, a senior nurse from Tiggywinkles, the world's busiest wildlife hospital and a specialist in hedgehogs, said gardens are a vital resource to help the animals. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This guide provides great basic steps for British gardeners to take to really create an area that is supportive to the safety and health of hedgehogs. On top of this, we would urge gardeners to take care when mowing, strimming, or hedgecutting. We see thousands of injuries from this sort of activity every year, and it can be easily avoided by checking the areas you are working on before starting.'
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to cut a small hole in the bottom of fence immediately
Gardeners are urged to include an extra task into their to-do list, which simply involves cutting a small hall on their fences for hedgehogs to have access into their outdoor spaces. Now with spring and summer around the corner, and the temperatures rising, gardening tasks are piling up. But whilst we're taking care of our beautiful garden spaces, you might start cutting a small hole in your fences - and you're going to love its reason. Hedgehogs are considered to be one of the UK's favourite garden mammals, according to Woodland Trust. But sadly, the beloved animals have seen a drastic decline in population over the years. As temperatures will change drastically in the upcoming months, has shared some tips for British households to follow to help hedgehogs survive, and it doesn't require a lot of effort. Referred to as the 'Hedgehog Hallway', it will give them access to food and shelter, plus any protection from possible harm. John Lewis, a gardening expert, said: 'Even if you only have a small garden or driveway area, there are improvements you can make to support hedgehogs. A really important step to take is to make sure that the animals can access your garden from other areas, so cutting a small hedgehog hole in the bottom of fencing or hedging can be really beneficial to them.' 'Building a hedgehog house is also a great way to help provide shelter and protection - and can easily be done with a small amount of timber,' he added. According to the National Biodiversity Network, the State of Britain's Hedgehogs 2022 report revealed that hedgehogs have seen a decline of between 30% and 75% across different areas since 2000. This is due to the expansion of urban areas, as well as housing developments. Interestingly, a quarter of Brits have never seen a hedgehog, with 40% of people aged 18-34 expressing an interest in helping hedgehogs in their gardens. For those wanting to turn their outdoor spaces into a safe place for these animals, following the commencement of Hedgehog Awareness Week on May 4, MyBuilder's method of making a small hole will prevent them from dehydrating, increasing their chances of finding food and avoiding sunburn. By doing this simple task that doesn't add any extra work or commitment, gardeners will ensure that hedgehogs have a safe space to come to, creating a safety net. It will also ensure that the number of hedgehogs in the country keeps increasing, adding to the UK wildlife numbers. Plus, they're so adorable that you couldn't resist wanting to take a picture when spotting these creatures.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cat's Life: Cumbrians urged to create garden havens as Hedgehog Awareness Week begins
Gardeners across Cumbria are being encouraged to turn their outdoor spaces into safe havens for one of Britain's most cherished wild animals, as Hedgehog Awareness Week gets underway. The annual campaign, which began on Sunday, May 4, is run by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and highlights challenges hedgehogs face, while offering practical ways the public can help protect them. Hedgehogs have seen a drastic population decline of around 75 percent in the last two decades, largely due to the destruction of their natural habitat through urban expansion, new developments and changes to garden layouts. Despite the worrying national trend, Cumbria has historically shown strong signs of support for its prickly residents. ADVERTISEMENT In 2016, Kendal was recognised as the most 'hedgehog friendly' townNow, homeowners are being called on to build on that legacy. a trusted platform connecting people with skilled tradespeople, has launched a campaign encouraging people to make their gardens more welcoming to hedgehogs. A step-by-step guide has been created by gardening experts, providing practical advice on how to make small but significant changes. 'hedgehog-friendly guide' (Image: Tips to create a home 'fit for a hog' Leave some areas wild Wild areas provide a natural food source and a place of nesting. Allowing dense plants, such as nettles, to grow will provide shelter for your hedgehogs throughout the months. You could even consider creating a 'meadow edge' of wildflowers, which looks attractive while serving an ecological purpose. ADVERTISEMENT Avoid using pesticides or slug pellets Slug pellets are really harmful to hedgehogs so avoid using them. Hedgehogs eat slugs, so even if they don't get to the pellets themselves, if they eat a slug that has, it can poison them. There are many natural ways to deter pests in your garden which include 'Beer traps' (bowls of beer sunk in the ground) or sprinkling coffee grounds round the base of plants. Check your garden before mowing You could embrace No Mow May - but if mowing your lawn, check any areas of long grass before going ahead as hedgehogs love it. Walk your lawn, mow slowly and give hedgehogs a chance to hear the mower. Build a hedgehog home Hedgehog houses are quick and easy to make and all you need is a few bits of timber, a hammer, and some nails. The entrance to the home should be around 13cm x 13cm, with a total space of 25cm high and 35cm x 35cm inside. ADVERTISEMENT Never paint the inside of your hedgehog house and avoid putting food inside it. Cover drains Uncovered drains can be a hazard for hedgehogs and they can easily fall in. Cover them using a specific 'manhole cover' used for drains, or using a water-filled bag on a more temporary basis. Leave constant access Hedgehogs are nocturnal and roam around 1-2km every night, so they will appreciate having a wide range of outdoor areas they can explore. Cut out a 13cmx13cm hole at the bottom of your fence. Alternatively, you can dig a channel underneath your fence if you don't want to put a hole through it. To really help wildlife, consider replacing a fence with a hedge to allow easy access and provide shelter. Consider losing a panel if you live in a new build New-build homes have had problems with fences being built too tight together, which can prevent hedgehogs from accessing your garden. To mitigate this issue, consider losing a panel or two at the side of your fence. ADVERTISEMENT James Lewis, a gardening expert from (Image: Sharon Jacobs, a senior nurse at Tigglywinkle's Wildlife Hospital said: "This guide provides great basic steps for British gardeners to take to really create an area that is supportive to the safety and health of hedgehogs. "On top of this, we would urge gardeners to take care when mowing, strimming, or hedgecutting. We see thousands of injuries from this sort of activity every year, and it can be easily avoided by checking the areas you are working on before starting.' To support the campaign, locals can join the conversation using #CumbriaHedgehogs and access the full guide at:
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Gardeners urged to cut a hole in their fence now for very important reason
Hedgehog numbers are declining and they need our help, say experts Hedgehogs need our help - and making your garden hedgehog friendly is a big step in the right direction. The humble hedgehog has been often voted Britain's favourite wild animal, yet the charming critter has seen a drastic decline in population over the last 20 years. Gardeners are now being asked to cut a small hole in the bottom of their fences to help the spiky creatures. The so-called 'Hedgehog Highway' allows them to gain access to food and shelter and stay away from harm, say experts. To support those gardeners who want to turn their garden into a safe place for hedgehogs, skilled garden experts from MyBuilder have put together a guide of simple steps you can take in your garden to save the hedgehogs. Hedgehog numbers have declined by a staggering 75 per cent in the last 20 years, largely due to their habitat being destroyed by housing developments and the expansion of urban areas. MyBuilder data showed that sadly, a quarter of Brits have never seen a hedgehog in the wild - rising to 40 per cent of those aged 18-34 - yet 73 per cent of people in the UK would be interested in helping hedgehogs in their gardens. To help raise awareness of the issue, the week commencing May 4th has been designated as 'Hedgehog Awareness Week', with the aim of educating Brits on how serious the issue is, and how they can support these stalwarts of British wildlife. Gardens are vital to keeping hedgehogs safe and protected, and significant improvements can be made while balancing it with the reality of what is achievable in the majority of British gardens. From building a hedgehog house, to providing access between gardens, there are options for everyone. James Lewis, a gardening expert from said that anyone with an outside space can take steps to support hedgehogs. He said: 'Even if you only have a small garden or driveway area, there are improvements you can make to support hedgehogs. A really important step to take is to make sure that the animals can access your garden from other areas, so cutting a small hole in the bottom of fencing or hedging can be really beneficial to them. "Building a hedgehog house is also a great way to help provide shelter and protection - and can easily be done with a small amount of timber.' Sharon Jacobs, a senior nurse from Tiggywinkle's, the world's busiest wildlife hospital and a specialist in hedgehogs, said gardens are a vital resource to help the animals. She said: 'This guide provides great basic steps for British gardeners to take to really create an area that is supportive to the safety and health of hedgehogs. "On top of this, we would urge gardeners to take care when mowing, strimming, or hedgecutting. We see thousands of injuries from this sort of activity every year, and it can be easily avoided by checking the areas you are working on before starting.' Here's the expert guide on how to turn your garden into a hedgehog sanctuary at this time of year. Leave some areas wild Wild areas in your garden provide a natural food source and a place of nesting. Dedicate a small section of your garden and leave it to grow. Allowing dense plants, such as nettles, to grow will provide shelter for your hedgehogs throughout the months. You could even consider creating a 'meadow edge' of wildflowers, which looks attractive while serving an ecological purpose. Avoid using pesticides or slug pellets Slug pellets are really harmful to hedgehogs so avoid using them. Hedgehogs eat slugs, so even if they don't get to the pellets themselves, if they eat a slug that has, it can poison them. There are many natural ways to deter pests in your garden without causing any serious harm to welcome wildlife. 'Beer traps' (bowls of beer sunk in the ground) are a good way to keep out slugs, or sprinkle coffee grounds round the base of plants. Check your garden before mowing You might be about to embrace No Mow May - but if you are mowing your lawn, check any areas of long grass before going ahead. Hedgehogs love the long grass, and could easily be sleeping or hiding in there. Walk through your lawn and check for hedgehogs before mowing, and mow slowly, giving hedgehogs a chance to hear the mower and flee in good time. Build a hedgehog home Hedgehog houses have become increasingly popular in recent years, and they are quick and easy to make. If you want to create a bespoke version, all you will need is a few bits of timber, a hammer, and some nails. The entrance to the home should be around 13cm x 13cm, with a total space of 25cm high and 35cm x 35cm inside. Never paint the inside of your hedgehog house, and avoid putting food inside it. Cover drains Uncovered drains can be a hazard for hedgehogs. They can easily fall in but they will struggle to get out without assistance - it's important to keep your drains covered if possible. Cover them using a specific 'manhole cover' used for drains, or using a water-filled bag on a more temporary basis. Leave constant access To make your garden hedgehog-friendly, it's useful to make sure they can get in and out of your garden in the first place - hedgehogs are nocturnal and roam around 1-2km every night, so they will appreciate having a wide range of outdoor areas they can explore. To ensure this level of space for hedgehogs, cut out a 13cmx13cm hole at the bottom of your fence. Alternatively, you can dig a channel underneath your fence if you don't want to put a hole through it. Obviously, check with your neighbours before doing this. To really help wildlife, consider replacing a fence with a hedge to allow easy access and provide shelter. Consider losing a panel if you live in a new build If you live in a new-build home, there is a chance that your fence is not animal-friendly. New-build homes have had problems with fences being built too tight together, which can prevent hedgehogs from accessing your garden. To mitigate this issue, consider losing a panel or two at the side of your fence. For the full information on this campaign for Hedgehog Awareness Week, please visit .
