"Helping hedgehogs survive and thrive:" that’s the aim of Hedgehog Aware, a campaign set up by Dylan Allman who treated members of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust's Weobley local branch group to an inspiring talk in their February meeting.

Sadly, hedgehog numbers have been in steep decline since the 1950s when there was estimated to be around 30 million, down to under a million now.

Dylan set up www.hedgehogaware.org.uk after developing a love for hedgehogs when he was 13 and now 17 he’s a Hedgehog Champion and has launched the Hedgehog First Response Unit for the Monmouth & Chepstow areas, with support from the Wye Valley National Landscape (formerly AONB).

“One of the common causes of injury to hedgehogs is strimmers cutting rough grass close to hedges where hedgehogs like to rest,” said Dylan. “We’re asking people to check for hedgehogs before strimming as hedgehogs curl up on a ball when danger strikes, rather than running away.”

To raise awareness of this problem, Dylan approached strimmer and lawn mower manufacturers to ask them to put a sticker saying “Always check for hedgehogs before work” on equipment as it leaves the factory. Hyundai and STIGA are doing just that, adding these stickers to their equipment, with more and more companies now coming on board.

Hedgehog numbers are beginning to show signs of recovery in urban areas. Small changes we make to help hedgehogs in our gardens can make a big difference. Here are some of them:

1. Create a hedgehog highway enabling hedgehogs to pass from one garden to another.  A hole 13 x 13cm is ideal. This extends their range, giving them a greater chance of finding food.
2. Make your pond safe by putting a ramp made from stones or wood so hedgehogs can climb out.
3. Stop using pesticides as they kill the very food hedgehogs eat. Beetles, earthworms and caterpillars make up most of their diet.
4. Create a wild corner for hedgehogs to nest and importantly it’ll have the invertebrates they enjoy to eat especially if you add piles of dead wood and branches.
5. Put out food and water to supplement their diet and support them all through the year. Meaty cat or dog food or kitten biscuits is ideal. Throughout the year, and especially in dry weather, a shallow dish of water is an important way to help.

Why not become a hedgehog champion like Dylan, and join over 100,000 people going that extra mile helping hedgehogs to survive and thrive in your local patch.

More at: https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/about-our-hedgehog-street-campaign/who-are-the-hedgehog-champions/