Veolia Solihull, Solihull Council’s grounds maintenance partner, has been awarded Hedgehog Hero status by the Hedgehog Preservation Society in recognition of its efforts to keep local wildlife safe.
In response to the alarming decline of hedgehog numbers across the UK, which have fallen by up to 50% in rural areas since 2000, Veolia Solihull has launched a hedgehog conservation initiative. This supports the efforts of their local authority partner, Solihull Council, and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, as well as the Solihogs Hedgehog Rescue Centre.
The scheme includes the use of 'Hedgehog Aware' reminder stickers on all operational equipment and machinery used for park maintenance services such as strimmers, serving as a constant reminder for Veolia’s teams. This aims to prevent accidental harm to hedgehogs during routine maintenance and operational activities.
In addition, all staff who cut grass or clear hedgerows have been given mandatory hedgehog awareness training. The training programme educates staff on the periodic safety checks they should carry out, such as making a noise to alert hedgehogs, being aware that they curl into balls and become hard to see, and ensuring guards are in place with strimmers and mowers. In addition, tall grasses are cut with a gradual approach to allow animals the chance to safely move away from the equipment.
Sue Cummine, Solihull Contract Manager for Veolia, said: “By providing essential grounds maintenance services on behalf of Solihull Council, we play a crucial role in safeguarding our hedgehog population from further decline. Our frontline operatives are enthusiastic about supporting the conservation of these creatures and have enjoyed learning about how they can make a difference to wildlife whilst carrying out their work to create a sustainable future for all of Solihull’s residents.”
Cllr Andy Mackiewicz, Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Planning, added: “I am delighted that our partner Veolia Solihull has been awarded Hedgehog Hero status by the Hedgehog Preservation Society in recognition of their work and it’s heartwarming to know that staff are enthusiastic about helping these beautiful creatures. I hope that residents will follow their example and take care not to accidentally injure hedgehogs in their gardens. Just making a noise before cutting the lawn will help ensure that our hedgehogs are safe.”
For information on how to support hedgehogs, please visit www.solihogs.co.uk