Wild Things Keyworth were delighted to win the Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards in the category ‘Environmental Project or Group of the year’ sponsored by Streetwise at an Awards Ceremony at Rushcliffe Arena in December.
It is exciting that Wildlife is getting more recognition locally and in particular, the continued expansion of the Keyworth Hedgehog Highway which provides hedgehogs with the access they need to move from garden to garden.
Wild Things Keyworth was set up to be a voice of the natural world and a shared way to do more to help. Hedgehogs are on the vulnerable to extinction list and are an indicator species, meaning that we can no longer ignore or put off trying to help turn their fortunes around. Numbers are down to less than one million nationally and Keyworth is making supportive changes and adaptations which are in line with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Hedgehog Street the PTES.
Importantly the Keyworth Hedgehog Highway project gained support by Severn Trent on their Boost for Biodiversity scheme and their help has enabled us to provide hedgehog support items to households who have become ‘Super Hedgehog Carers’ for their road.
It is with an open mind that we will all continue to improve and make steps in a more supportive direction for the wildlife that lives alongside us and the habitat and access that it needs.
If you are having fencing, please know that you can ask for pre-drilled panels which exist, to allow Hedgehogs to pass through safely. The more you look the more you realise what can be adapted to help these animals. Routes through gardens, neighbour to neighbour is far safer for them than attempting to cross roads. They often do this when there is no pathway through.
On the Wild Things Keyworth page, we welcome photos or videos of wildlife or its habitat whilst out exercising or in the garden or if you can’t get out you can just look.
So, thank you to everyone who has been following and supporting us since July 2020
The gap surrounds have also been noticed, made from repurposed wood by Simon In Wymeswold and additional art flourishes by Keyworth based artist Liz Waddell.
They are tiny doorways to another world for our nocturnal friends. In fact, we have gifted gap surrounds to East Leake, Belper and Kelvedon in Essex to help them in their own Hedgehog Highway efforts.
To date we have created 64 new access points (gaps) for hedgehogs through barriers, whether concrete, wood or brick. And a big thank you goes to Nick on the drilling front and Gill for her energy in all areas.
By the time you read this, we will be into the New Year. Hedgehogs can and do wake up, some never hibernate. Anything can disturb them, often milder temperatures, so always at least keep fresh water available for them and even better access to cat or kitten biscuits in a ‘feed station.’ (That is the easiest safe food to remember.)
Thank you for the nomination, shortlist and win, it truly is heartwarming. The hogs are delighted.