The Hedgehog Friendly Campus held a UK-wide competition from 2 November to 18 December of 2020 to see which university could collect the most litter. The winner would receive a free hedgehog house and a bag of hedgehog food as incentive, provided by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. In adjustment to the coronavirus restrictions, the litter picks did not have to take place on campus or in groups.
Edinburgh Napier University has had several litter picks this year. A group of both students and staff got together on 16 November to pick trash up around the university campus. Students also picked litter up around their local neighbourhoods.
Staff and students from Napier collecting trash on campus and in local neighborhoods.
The University of Sheffield won the challenge with 158.5 bags of litter. Altogether, almost 700 bags of litter were picked, with 22 universities participating in the event and a total of 264 participants. Even the smallest contribution means that the environment is cleaner and safer for hedgehogs as well as other wildlife.
Hedgehog Friendly Campus litter pick challenge statistics.
Why is litter so dangerous to hedgehogs? Litter poses a problem to hedgehogs for several reasons. Hedgehogs can get stuck in trash such as plastic can rings, paper cups, and plastic bags, which can impede their movement and prevent them from escaping predators. Garden netting and other forms of mesh can get stuck on their spikes. They can also eat litter that is indigestible and can upset their digestive system.
Here are some tips to keep your yard safe! Make sure to always throw your litter away in a bin instead of tossing it on the ground, and pick up litter if you happen to see some. Buckets and other containers that can hold water should be turned upside down, as hedgehogs will attempt to drink the water and can end up drowning. Ensure that your bins are in a safe location and are unable to fall over and spill their contents. If you are throwing away a plastic can ring, cut through it so there is a way of escape in case the litter escapes from the bin. And remember, you can always go on a litter pick yourself! All you need is a disposable bag and a litter picker, and you can help contribute to making sure hedgehogs are safe.