Bath Spa University is celebrating possibly one of the most unusual accolades in its history – Gold Accreditation for being a hedgehog-friendly campus.
The award, from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, comes just a year after the university achieved Silver status.
Hedgehogs are listed as vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and their numbers have declined by up to 50% since 2000.
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, a registered charity, is dedicated to helping and protecting hedgehogs native to the UK through campaigns, advocacy and educational projects.
The Gold Accreditation recognises the university’s staff and students who have worked hard to make its campuses safe for the prickly creatures, as well as raise awareness of the species’ decline.
Bath Spa, which has more than 8,000 students, operates campuses at Newton Park, Sion Hill and Locksbrook in Bath and at Corsham.
In the past year, its students and staff have:
- Established a student Hedgehog Society of their own,
- Run a hedgehog-themed reusable cup design contest
- Produced a campaign video highlighting their work
- Worked with the local community, including conducting hedgehog surveys at Corston Community Orchard
- Provided watering and food stations during last year’s drought to help hedgehogs prepare for hibernation
- Offered special training to the university’s grounds team to ensure they work in a hog-safe manner and can provide the correct help if a hedgehog is found.
In addition, more than 25 students have signed up to become ‘hedgehog champions’.
Bath Spa University sustainability manager Julian Greaves said: “The work at Bath Spa is just one part of efforts taking place nationwide to make the grounds at universities, colleges and schools more suitable for hedgehogs.”
Some 92 UK academic institutions submitted applications to become a hedgehog friendly campus, with accreditations spanning Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels.
