Even though there is a lot of good information out there about hedgehogs; people have preconceived notions about hedgehogs.
Its been proven that lies do spread faster then the truth in social as shown by this study in 2018 https://bit.ly/39Ua6wn. But it can be argued that this is just a magnification of how we seem to be programmed to communicate in real life. Its also true that humans are more likely to accept positive reinforcements of our preconceptions, even if there is evidence that those preconceptions are wrong.
After all if one person tells a dog walker that they shouldn't allow their dog to run into a pond because of the bad impacts on wildlife and someone else tells them that dogs love going in ponds and its natural so its not an issue - who's is a dog walker who's dog loves swimming, likely to listen to?
Even where people have no preconceived ideas about hedgehogs or other wildlife (if they aren't that interested say), they often won't realise that how there personal choices at home can impact wildlife. Changing "fashions" in gardening are either excluding or actively chasing away wildlife from areas which were once greater havens for wildlife and biodiversity.
Styles like clean lines, paved/decked/artificially turfed surfaces, tall privacy fencing and minimalist gardening styles prioritising the extension of indoor social spaces to the outside don't take into account impacts on wildlife from the start of the design process. Like some of these examples found with a quick internet search.
Once new schemes are put in, its often too late for change, as people really don't like to be told what to do in their own private spaces, especially if you are telling them that they have done something, which is in essence, bad.
The exiting generation of space owners can often be won over if they feel that they are making the changes because they want to. And the influencers on these space managers like outdoor landscape designers and architects, need to be targeted again and again to start getting them to realise the negative impacts of certain design styles. They need to instinctively design in proven solutions to incorporate biodiversity in to their schemes, as if they are doing it both consciously and subconsciously, people who may not care about impacts on wildlife, who buy into their schemes, will be helping wildlife without knowing. They can then get the positive reaffirmation that their actions are good (even if they didn't know it) to help continue to spread that awareness.
Education has to start early enough that people are taught the good and the bad at a young enough age, while reinforcing the message at all other ages. So when the next generation become adults, house hold owners/renters and site manager, they are making proven improvements for wildlife as a standard part of their work.
So we have to keep spreading the message again and again until the myths like a bowl of milk for hedgehogs are eradicated.
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| Original file from The Mammal Society here |
Can we really call ourselves a nation of wildlife lovers where out most iconic mammal has declined by 46% in 13 years? Maybe we should just call ourselves "A nation of mini groups of wildlife enthusiasts in a sea of not fussed folk"
We can gain back the old title once the population trends of native plants and animals aren't continuing in a downward trend.
Things that you can do to help
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| Image copied from https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/hedgehog-awareness-week-2021/ |
Hedgehog awareness week is a scheme organised by by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and takes place every year. It aims to highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them.
Help us by taking part in Hedgehog Awareness Week that week, and throughout the year so that we can myth bust together.
Help us use art to communicate and Draw - Photograph - Sculpt - Act -Mime etc. and post all of your awareness raising ideas and initiatives on all platforms - for our 10th Thing social campaign. Your imagination is the only limit.
Please tag @HogFriendly @SHkingstonuni and as many different people as possible - ask them to make their own version and then keep spreading the word. Use #Hedgehoghelpers #KUHoglets #HHfacts on all of your posts so that we can try to find them and continue to share.
From the KU Hoglets
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