Hedgehog Street, a UK-wide campaign to halt the decline of British hedgehogs, has launched a new nationwide garden challenge to help the prickly creatures thrive this spring.
The challenge, which coincides with the campaign's 10th anniversary, aims to find out how many UK gardens are havens for hedgehogs. To get involved, all you need to do is have a little look around your garden to see if you can spot any hedgehogs before filling in the online form.
From how long your grass is to whether there are any nesting spots, it will help you to rate your garden — and show you what changes can be made.
"We know how much people love hedgehogs, but also how much they're in trouble," Grace Johnson, Hedgehog Officer for Hedgehog Street, says. "Gardens are a fantastic habitat for hedgehogs if they have the right features and are connected to neighbouring gardens and/or green spaces.
"Our new garden challenge will provide bespoke advice to everyone who takes part, so helping our native hedgehogs couldn't be easier. We already have over 90,000 amazing Hedgehog Champions who have made their gardens hedgehog friendly, and hope in our birthday year we can make that 100,000!"
Hedgehogs numbers might have been in decline over the years, but Hedgehog Street hopes this new initiative will encourage more households to get involved. As well as the challenge, they are also asking Brits to do 10 things to help hedgehogs in their own gardens. These include...
1. Link you garden with Hedgehog Highways to let them freely pass through fences.
2. Create a wild corner.
3. Leave out food and water.
4. Make a safe home for hedgehogs (read our how-to guide for more information).
5. Make ponds safe with a ramp.
6. Deal with litter and netting.
7. Stop using chemicals on plants.
8. Check before strimming and mowing as hedgehogs may be hiding in piles of leaves.
9. Take care with bonfires and always check before lighting.
10. Spread the word with neighbours and families so everyone can help the creatures.
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
Looking for some positivity? Get Country Living magazine posted through your letterbox every month. SUBSCRIBE NOW
16 spring and Easter wreaths to adorn your door
Country Cut Flowers Spring Styled Rope Wreath
A rustic jute rope wreath with a contemporary edge, dressed for spring with eucalyptus, thistles and grass seed heads. Hand-dyed silk ribbons and a calligraphy joy tag complete the piece.
A timeless choice for spring and summer, this artificial wreath pairs soft white and pale yellow tones for a fresh, elegant look. It features dahlias, ranunculus, daisies and eucalyptus.
A charming Easter wreath, decorated with fresh looking foliage and a hand-crafted porcelain bunny. Finished with a ribbon for hanging, it makes a simple but cheerful spring addition to the home.
Country Cut Flowers Small 15cm Rope Spring Wreath
Simple, elegant and stylish, you can add more decoration to this rope wreath or opt for less is more. It's great for indoors or outdoors.
Handmade Sussex Custom Made Everlasting Wreath made from Dried Flowers
Made in West Sussex from organically grown dried flowers, each wreath is arranged by hand in seasonal colours. As the flowers follow the year’s harvest, availability varies. Intended for indoor use, they retain a light natural scent and bring the garden indoors.
A simple way to bring a touch of Easter cheer to your door or wall, this round wreath is finished in soft pastel shades for spring. Decorated with polyester flowers and foam eggs, it's lightweight and low maintenance.
Handmade Sussex Everlasting Heart – Dried Limonium with Soft Blooms
Who said hearts are only for February? This heart-shaped wreath brings the idea into spring, pairing naturally dried limonium with soft pink and purple blooms that echo the season’s first colours.
60cm Pre Lit Oversized Easter Wreath with Removable Egg Garland
The perfect addition to your front door, this pre-lit oversized wreath features a removable egg garland — perfect to remove after Easter. Measuring 60cm, it also comes with pre-lit lights, artificial spring flowers and green foliage.
Step into spring with this charming lavender wreath from lights4Fun. The perfect accessory featuring faux flowers and foliage, it's ideal to reuse year after year.
Keep it simple with this eucalyptus door wreath featuring a cluster of pastel-coloured Easter eggs.
Why not go for an alternative wreath display with this flat hanging option? Hung in a porch or indoor above the dining table, it's sure to make a beautiful spring decoration. Pre-order now for May delivery.
An elegant Easter wreath, styled with white speckled eggs, soft foliage and a hand-crafted porcelain bunny at its centre. Finished with a simple ribbon for hanging, it brings a fresh note to spring interiors and makes a considered gift for the season.
This pussywillow wreath has a gorgeous, understated look. Each branch is hand woven and hand painted, finished with delicate speckles of soft white buds for a gently textured effect.
An alternative to flowers and foliage, this felt pom pom spring or Easter wreath can be carefully stored and used again year-after-year and for other annual celebrations. Hang it on a wall or place it flat and use it as a table centerpiece.
This Easter wreath has that rustic woodland look, covered in hand painted artificial eggs, larch cones, hedgerow twigs, guinea fowl feathers on a base of natural green, dried moss.
In the shape of a bunny head, this adorable wreath incorporates woven wood and faux flowers. Paired with bendable micro lights, this bunny can be brought to life by simply wrapping the lights around the frame for a cosy glow each evening.
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
