Students and staff at Writtle University College came together on November 17th to take part in the Big Litter Pick Challenge. They collected more than fifteen bags of rubbish, and fly-tipped items, including an old pram.
Staff organiser and Head of Student Success, Donna Franklin, said: "Well done to everyone who took part in today's event. It was a fantastic team effort. Picking up litter helps to keep hedgehogs and other wildlife safe and makes our campus a nicer environment for everyone. Thank you to all students and staff, including the Horticulture Society and Gaia Club, for volunteering their time."
Each year, litter poses a serious risk to wildlife around the UK. Hedgehogs are listed as 'vulnerable' on the red list of mammals and can become fatally injured when trapped in plastic bags, drink cans, tins and other discarded waste.
WUC is one of many educational institutions around the UK to join the Big Litter Pick as part of the 'Hog Friendly Campus' campaign. The project was created by British Hedgehog Preservation Society as part of their ongoing work to protect the declining hedgehog population.
Hedgehog Champion, Darren Veitch, said: "There are plenty of other steps you can take to look after wildlife, even in your own back garden. At this time of year, hedgehogs may use leaf litter piles as day nests, or will start to hibernate when the temps are sustained below 8 degrees. Please take care when tidying up, or better still, why not leave a pile of leaves in the corner for hibernating hogs!"