West Suffolk College has been given an award from the British Hedgehog Conservation Charity for their efforts in protecting a species whose numbers have declined significantly in recent years.
According to a BBC article written in February 2024, it was claimed that around 60 years ago, 36 million hedgehogs were in UK gardens. Now there are thought to be closer to one million left.
The Bury based educational establishment - that is part of the Eastern Education Group - was given ‘Silver Hedgehog Friendly Campus Status’ thanks to an ongoing campaign to protect these spiky creatures.
This follows on from a bronze award last year – and now they are putting their energy into claiming a gold award by 2025.
Jasmine Matthews is Programme Lead for Level 3 Animal Management (year one). Jasmine said: “We have made houses, changed college policies, we have been involved in tracking and we have introduced our hedgehog friendly status into staff and student inductions.
“We have also put in some plants and water stations to help feed them and raised money for the hedgehog charity. It's all about changing the mindset of the college.”
In terms of why others she thinks other should get involved, Jasmine said: “Hedgehogs are now an endangered species and there are lots of misconceptions about them. So, my message is if you see one out in the day, be mindful of it and move it to a safe place or take it to a hedgehog charity. Leave food and water in the garden if you have them (but not milk as they are lactose intolerant) and rewild your garden if you can. Also, have a hole in your garden fence about the size of a CD so they can travel about.”
In relation to future plans, Jasmine said: “We are now going for a gold award, so we will be building a decking area and pond by teaming up with construction students. We are also talking to our University & Professional Development Centre and they are looking to get hedgehog friendly status too.”
And on receiving the award she added: “Getting the certificate was really exciting, I’m very proud and it’s great that we do real life conservation as part of our course programme.”
Sophie was involved in the project last year. Sophie is on a level three animal studies course at West Suffolk College and eventually wants to become a marine biologist. She said: “We have learnt about the needs and welfare of hedgehogs during my course and we have been tracking them. It’s important we look after them, so they don’t become extinct.”
Naomi is also on a level three animal studies course. Naomi – who wants to become a vet after college – said: “I have learnt that people need to do more to help protect hedgehogs and not treat them as pests. We need to respect them if you see them on the roads.
And on the award, Naomi added: “Getting this award is nice and rewarding. Hopefully we will get a gold award next year.”