Small changes to our outdoor areas and gardening habits can help create a ‘hedgehog haven’ and protect this iconic animal, announced Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss.
Speaking today, the Environment Secretary lent her support to campaigns encouraging local communities to work together to look out for the hedgehog and make gardens as welcoming as possible. From letting grassy areas grow wild to providing food and shelter, she explained the simple steps we can all take to protect hedgehogs.
Defra has worked with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and People’s Trust for Endangered Species to provide five easy ways everyone can help hedgehogs thrive in back gardens.
The five tips for creating a hedgehog haven in your garden are:
Let areas of garden grow wild to mimic hedgehogs’ natural habitat
Provide shelter through logs piles and hedgehog homes
Do not use pesticides and poisons
Leave out water and foods such as meaty cat or dog food and cat biscuits
Consider adding a ‘hedgehog highway’ – a CD case sized gap – in fences or walls to allow hedgehogs to move between gardens
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said:
Hedgehogs are one of our most treasured animals and play an important role in both this country’s heritage and natural environment. Glimpsing hedgehogs in my garden is one of my fondest childhood memories and inspired me to learn more about the world around me.
I want to ensure children for generations to come can enjoy this special sight, but this can only happen if everyone does their bit to look out for these important creatures – that’s why we have developed these simple tips to help adults and children alike learn more about our precious wildlife and how we can all support it.