One of the UK’s most vulnerable mammals will get the full support of Forth Valley College after the Forth Valley Student Association and the College joined the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Campaign.
Funded by The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, the aim of the link up is to improve awareness of hedgehogs for College staff and students and to increase hedgehog numbers on and around all of our three Forth Valley campuses.
The hedgehog population in the UK has declined by up to 50% in the last 20 years according to a study that was carried out by the Mammal Society in 2020, who revealed that hedgehogs were classed as 'vulnerable to extinction' as their habitats continue to decline.
Elena Semple FVSA’s Student Engagement Coordinator, said: “Increasing habitat loss in rural areas means hedgehogs are moving into more built-up areas. Urban areas pose a host of challenges to the small creatures including road traffic, litter, poisoning and lack of access to food and water.
“For these reasons, the Student Association and the College have recently joined the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Campaign and we have formed a Hedgehog Friendly Campus Team made up of academic/support staff, Estates staff, Student Association officer and staff and most importantly - students!
“Between now and December, we will work together to raise awareness of these lovely creatures on our campuses and create healthier and safer spaces for hedgehogs on and around our campuses. Our goals will hopefully allow us to receive Bronze status in the preservation of hedgehogs.
“We plan to build some hedgehog homes, provide food and cleaner habitats by committing to responsible disposal of litter and litter picking areas that might affect hedgehog habitats.”
Dr Ken Thomson, who graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BSc (Hons) in Zoology, followed by a PhD at the University of Edinburgh, has a great interest in the natural environment and welcomed the college becoming Hedgehog Friendly.
He said: “I am delighted the FVSA and the College are supporting the hedgehog project. In many ways this is a miniature biodiversity project in its own right, supporting habitat restoration, encouraging food sources and supporting wildlife corridors. Indeed our whole ecosystem approach to wildlife and natural habitats can be clearly seen in our new landscaping, including the wildflower meadows at the new Falkirk Campus. Protecting hedgehogs is all part of our greening vision to support biodiversity as a whole, so this is another great step forward.”
The FVSA would love to have more people join the Campaign at Forth Valley College to help create the safe environments for hedgehogs. Anyone interested in getting involved should contact Elena Semple at Elena.Semple@forthvalley.ac.uk for more information.
To keep up to date with all the latest activities and hedgehog news happening at FVC, follow @SaveTheHogsFVC on Instagram.