Hedgehog Friendly Heath
Hedgehogs under threat
Hedgehogs have been declining in both rural and urban habitats, and we have lost around a third of the national population since the millennium. In 2020, Hedgehogs were listed as ‘vulnerable to extinction’ on the UK red list for mammals.
In the State of Britain’s Hedgehogs report 2022 it was revealed that in urban areas there may be a stable population of hedgehogs that might be recovering. This highlights the importance of local action and greenspaces to ensure the future of hedgehogs.
Hogs on the Heath
Did you know that Hampstead Heath is home to one of the largest populations of hedgehogs in London?
This map shows where they were sighted in our 2021 hedgehog survey in collaboration with the City of London and ZSL’s London Hogwatch (red dots indicate hedgehog sightings, the bigger the dot, the more hogs were sighted). You can read the full 2021 Hampstead Heath hedgehog report here - and watch this space for the results of the 2024 survey coming soon!
Hedgehog Friendly Heath
To help maintain and grow the Heath’s hedgehog population, we launched our Hedgehog Friendly Heath project in 2023. As part of this, we are working with local groups, schools and residents around Hampstead Heath to improve connectivity for hedgehogs by:
Monitoring hedgehogs on and around the Heath with our partners to build a picture of the population’s health
Mapping and reducing barriers to connectivity by creating gaps in fences where appropriate
Improving habitats through conservation work
Raising awareness about hedgehogs and how to help them, for instance by visiting schools, community groups and or street festivals around the Heath.
Installing hedgehog boxes and hedgehog first aid stations on and around the Heath.
Find out how to support the project and take action here.
Connecting with other SINCs
Eventually, the aim of the Hedgehog Friendly Heath project is to connect Hampstead Heath, one of London’s last strongholds for hedgehogs with other nearby SINCs (Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation - see map) to reduce species isolation and prevent their decline.
This work involves working with groups all around the Heath to link our green spaces to others via people’s back gardens, school grounds and community spaces.
We’re thankful to our project partners (listed below) for collaborating on this work. If you live or work locally and would like to get involved, do get in touch!
Our project partners
London Hogwatch
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Heath and Hampstead Society
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City of London
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Growing Green
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English Heritage
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London Hogwatch 〰️ Heath and Hampstead Society 〰️ City of London 〰️ Growing Green 〰️ English Heritage 〰️
Hedgehog news from our green spaces
