Hedgehog Friendly Campus started at the University of Sheffield during Hedgehog Awareness Week in 2018. Staff and students came together to learn why hedgehogs are at threat and how they can help. Hedgehog safaris took place to find out if hedgehogs were there and with support from the grounds and gardens staff and student's union, hedgehog-friendly changes were made to the green spaces on campus. I knew it was something special when there was enthusiasm for the project from all areas of the university, including senior managers, local community groups and those who didn't normally engage in sustainability issues. So, The British Hedgehog Preservation Society funded the programme and it was rolled out to all UK campuses! Now, the project is delivered by SOS-UK, a student-led education charity focusing on sustainability!

​Hedgehog Friendly Campus was created in response to the alarming decline in hedgehog numbers. They're a species that are really beloved in the UK, but they're now listed as vulnerable to extinction on Britain's Red List because of things like habitat loss, building developments and garden hazards. These are some big challenges to tackle and they impact on all wildlife in the UK. But universities, colleges and schools have loads of space they could use to support hedgehogs and other wildlife, with some changes being quite simple! The programme provides the roadmap to these changes, through a hedgehog-friendly action list.

The programme supports campuses to protect hedgehogs from hazards, replace and enhance habitats and raise awareness within the community. Dedicated teams of volunteer Hedgehog Ambassadors are out tackling problems on their campus, like cutting out poisons, picking up litter and installing hedgehog highways! We also support campuses with training and equipment to survey for hedgehogs and other wildlife, contributing to species monitoring efforts.