Hi there,
Just a quick update today as I have to prepare to give a talk this evening, having just delivered a half day workshop yesterday with Grace from Hedgehog Street ... oh, all about hedgehogs of course! Tonight's event - if you get this in time, is FREE! But it will help if you live in Woking! The workshop was the first online run through of what was a day long in person training - for people who will really benefit from understanding more about hedgehog ecology and behaviour when it comes to their work - so ecological consultants, local authority ecologists, land managers etc - it was great to have a couple of people from Network Rail yesterday for example, and to learn how they have already taken on board advice - and have someone walk a stretch of land before mowing it - a good way to reduce chance of killing hedgehogs (and other wildlife).
The main reason for this post, though, is THIS VIDEO - please watch it and share it - I think it is utterly delightful - humorous, whimsical and very informative. And it is made up from the video clips sent in by the Hedgehog Street Champions ... are you one? If not, have a think of joining up.
Hedgehog Street is the campaign run by PTES and the BHPS - we have been at it for 11 years now and are proud of what we have achieved. This booklet, for example - if you have anyone who would benefit from learning a little bit more (this is not a prod to get you to buy my books ... not this time!) - is a great introduction - maybe you have a street WhatsApp group or other network ... you could share it and see if more allies appear!
Last weekend I did more labour of love hedgehoggery - this time at the wonderful Wood Festival - I run a small stage, called Kindling, and got to interview such luminaries as George Monbiot, Nick Hayes, Nicola Chester - I had the daring and determined Nell Frizzell dancing her way through the Panic Years - and many more extraordinary folk ... tickets are already on sale for next year - and I will be there with my stage of delights ... oh - the hedgehoggery I mentioned - well I gave myself a slot to talk about our work! And was joined for part of it by Paul from Meadow in my Garden as we talked about how to plant up a wildlife friendly garden - worth having a look at what they have on their website!
So now I had better get going, Woking here I come.
If anyone feels like throwing a few coins into my beaten hat, here is the way to do it - all the support is massively appreciated.
Photo from the amazing Nick Upton - whenever we get a hot and dry spell, please remember to put out water.