The Hedgehog Street team
Meet the team behind the Hedgehog Street campaign.
Grace Johnson, Hedgehog Officer for Hedgehog Street
I like hedgehogs because… They’re a brilliant engagement animal! Being so cute and easily recognisable, they get new people interested in wildlife and conservation. They’re like celebrities of the UK wildlife world, you’re very lucky to see one and even more so have them in your own back garden. It’s so sad to see that numbers are dwindling due to various threats, so I’m keen to do all I can to help our little prickly friends!
A bit about me I’m passionate about conservation and so excited to get stuck into Hedgehog Street, a partnership project between the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). It’s an honour to take over this project, which has been previously been expertly run by my predecessor Emily Wilson. I have a Zoology degree and have previously been working with bats, so understand the conservation needs of UK mammals. I’m also a keen traveller and have been lucky enough to see some incredible animals in their natural habitat, including orangutans, pygmy elephants and manta rays. An especially memorable experience was seeing a hedgehog strolling around the streets of Dubrovnik last summer!
Fay Vass, BHPS CEO
I like hedgehogs because… Hedgehogs are special; you can interact with them perhaps more than other wild animal. To protect themselves they curl up in a ball rather than flee so if you wait patiently and keep quiet you are rewarded by being able to watch them snuffle round and amble off. Seeing a hedgehog in the wild is always a treat and I remember a hedgehog visiting the garden being one of my very first wildlife encounters as a child.
A bit about me I started working part time at the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) in 1999 and gradually took on more and more responsibility until I became Chief Executive. A large and important part of our current work, and therefore my job, is Hedgehog Street. We work closely with the PTES to try to help hedgehogs in practical ways and funding important research to help us better understand how we can further assist the species. As well as Hedgehog Street, the BHPS produces a wide range of information leaflets for the public, vets and schools, most of these are available on our website. I am alarmed at the current rate of decline of the hedgehog population. I sincerely hope that our work will help slow or halt that decline.
Nida Al-Fulaij, PTES CEO
I like hedgehogs because…. despite being a well-known and widespread species here in the UK, it’s still an incredible privilege to see them in the wild. I’ve stumbled across hedgehogs whilst out walking in my local park in the evening and wandering through the church yard. I love knowing that they’re so close but also so secretive.
A bit about me I’ve been working in wildlife conservation for over two decades. My role involves helping wildlife here in the UK and protecting endangered species around the world. I’m continuously amazed by the varied species we share our home with; weird and wonderful creatures that inhabit all corners of our planet, many of which urgently need our help. Sadly, many of those species that need help are here in Britain, so lots of my energy is focussed on championing British mammals that are in decline. I know that, together with our partners and supporters, we can make a difference and help our threatened species. Working in partnership with fantastic organisations, such as BHPS, means we can increase and focus our efforts for greater impact.
Anina Day, Assistant Hedgehog Officer
I like hedgehogs because… They are weird, quirky, determined little creatures with a fabulous attitude! I have loved them ever since I can remember, and when I was young a rescue hog was released into our garden. Sniffy, as she was called, was absolutely crazy, and cemented my love for all things hedgehog.
A bit about me I have recently completed a degree in biology and a masters in conservation at Sussex University. Whilst there I set up the Sussex Hedgehog Friendly Campus campaign, though, sadly, we didn’t find a single hedgehog on campus. It has always been my dream to work in conservation, so being part of Hedgehog Street is an absolute privilege.
