University of Liverpool achieves Gold accreditation
The University of Liverpool has recently been awarded gold accreditation in the national Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme. The gold award, which follows earlier bronze and silver accreditations, recognises the completion of a number of practical and awareness-raising activities designed to provide long term improvements for the wellbeing of our prickly pals.
In order to win gold, Liverpool’s Hedgehog Friendly Campus Project Group - comprising staff and student volunteers from across the University - completed a number of fundraising and community engagement activities, including undertaking a hedgehog survey with children at a local nursery.
As part of the awareness raising campaign, a short film explaining the plight of hedgehogs and what has been achieved to date at Liverpool was produced. This has also been used by the group to present its work to colleagues at other UK universities to support their progression through the scheme.
The rescue of poorly hedgehogs remains the cental activity, and one recent patient, Arthur (pictured above), quickly became a favourite amongst volunteers. Named after Arthur K Bulley, founder of Ness Botanic Gardens, he was handed in having been orphaned on the road. After treatment at a local hedgehog rescue centre, Arthur was released on the Leahurst Campus to join the thriving hedgehog population.
The gold accreditation marks the next step on the University of Liverpool’s work supporting hedgehogs, but the work very much continues! The group will be meeting soon to discuss how to encourage more volunteers to take part so that its valuable work can continue.
Zoë Chapman, Business Manager at Ness Botanic Gardens and Hedgehog Champion said “By gaining our gold accreditation we have consolidated three years of hard work and dedication by undertaking activity that will provide long term benefits to hedgehogs and other wildlife. We are looking forward to continuing this work to provide a real legacy.”
Syd Cottle, Director of Estates Management said “The University of Liverpool has a diverse range of habitats across its campuses, and there is great scope to make our estate and our working practices even more hedgehog and wildlife friendly. We look forward to working with the project group to further build on what has already been accomplished”
Further Information:
To get involved or to find out more, please contact the University of Liverpool’s Hedgehog Champion, Zoë Chapman by emailing ZChapman@liverpool.ac.uk.