You can do this by:

• Sharing Facebook posts by us, People's Trust for Endangered Species and the British Preservation Society.

• Become a Hedgehog Champion via Hedgehog Street.

• Speak to your friends and families about hedgehogs and how we can help them.

• Reach out to your council and fencing companies to alert them of the issues hedgehogs face.

This can be done anywhere; in your garden, allotment, local park or by taking part in citizen science surveys.

• Sightings can be logged on The Big Hedgehog Map at www.thebighedgehogmap.org  or on our sightings & signs google form.

• Survey with a footprint tunnel – You may borrow one of these from us. Hedgehogs leave very distinct footprints which can be used to determine the species’ presence. Footprint tunnels are simple, made up of plastic triangular tunnels with a removable insert to which A4 paper is attached. A vegetable oil and charcoal ink is painted on either side of a dish of bait. As a hedgehog moves through the tunnel, it walks on the ink and leaves footprints on the paper which can then be identified. Tunnels are monitored daily for 3-5 consecutive days.

• Survey with a trail camera – Thanks to ZSL London Hogwatch, we can sometimes borrow their trial cameras to survey in gardens. These cameras are set up at approximately ankle height and use sensors to detect motion. When something (hopefully a hedgehog) enters the camera's range it will take a photo. The cameras are left in situ for 1-2 weeks and images are downloaded later. The data from this method is shared with ZSL London Hogwatch.

Create hedgehog holes to form Hedgehog Highways. Ensuring hedgehogs can move freely through green spaces is one of the best ways to support them.

How to make a hedgehog hole:

• In a fence: If your neighbour is happy with it, you can remove a fence panel and cut a 13 cm x 13 cm hole at the bottom. You can use a coping saw to cut the hole, and then sand down any rough edges. If you have a concrete gravel board, you can use bricks to create steps up to the hole or cut out a hole.

• In a wall: You can remove a brick from the bottom of a wall or cut a small hole in the wall. 

• Under a wall, fence, or gate: You can dig a channel under your garden boundary. 

You can then place a sign above your hedgehog hole, so people know what it is. If your neighbours do the same, this will create a Hedgehog Highway.

Hedgehog Street are calling for people to contact local fencing companies to make them aware of hedgehog highways and their importance. Some hedgehog-friendly fencing options exist on the market, but we always need more!

You can:

• Create log, leaf or compost piles.

• Have an overgrown ‘wild’ corner and/or wildflower patch.

• Add a ramp to your pond.

• Build or buy a hedgehog house.

• Provide fresh water in a shallow dish, all year round.

• Supplementary feed in the winter.

• Check out Hedgehog Street's helpful garden features.

Don’t have a garden? No problem. You can encourage your local parks and allotments to make their green spaces hedgehog-friendly. Check out Hedgehog Street's ideas on how to help without a garden.