‘Hedgeducation’ in schools as hedgehog Grace comes out of hibernation
We have launched our first schools programme in Surrey Heath as part of our mission to create Britain’s first hedgehog friendly borough. From the 2nd May 2021 during Hedgehog Awareness Week, we will start to deliver to every school in Surrey Heath an Amazing Grace Survey Kit and our ‘Amazing Grace Hedgeducation Magazine’ with everything they need to create a safe haven for the country’s favourite but endangered mammal.
Hedgehogs are in decline and listed as “vulnerable” on Britain’s red list of mammals. We don’t want to see a country without these lovable residents, but unless we act now there’s a real danger that will happen. We want to create hedgehog safe boroughs across the country and we have started here in Surrey Heath. We are saving these wonderful creatures for the benefit of our children, so it’s only right that they are at the forefront of the fight – that’s why we’re taking Grace into schools.
We are asking schools in Surrey Heath to set up the tunnels and tell us about hedgehogs in their area.
Children can set up our survey tunnel in their school and find out what is happening after dark. They can play detective and match footprints to see which animals have been around and input their findings into our national survey. They can use our recording form to record their data and then upload it on our website here.
The kit includes: Project Amazing Grace Survey Tunnel – Project Amazing Grace 52-page magazine – Project Amazing Grace Survey Instruction Magazine – Project Amazing Grace charcoal ink – Sample food pack for your first survey – Tent pegs to hold the tunnel still – Masking tape to secure both paper and feed tray – Project Amazing Grace Feed tray, and – A voucher for discounted Spikes food.
Our 52 page Amazing Grace Hedgeducation Magazine is full of articles and tips on how to make your space hedgehog safe and friendly. It has pictures to colour, a word search and includes Dr Brian May, ‘super vet’ Noel Fitzpatrick, TV naturalist Steve Backshall and parliamentarian’s Michael Gove and Tracey Crouch.
We give zoom talks to schools and children at all key stages to support our project.
We really want to know where hedgehogs live in Surrey Heath and the children can tell us.
(Our Amazing Grace Survey Kit cost £42.00 and can be bought directly from us for your school if you are not in Surrey Heath. To purchase a kit please email info@gracethehedgehog.co.uk)
Amazing Grace the Hedgehog is visiting Surrey Heath Schools
The kit has almost everything you need to start – just add vegetable oil and time. This will make you an official Amazing Grace Surveyor. You can ask your friend if you can do surveys in their gardens and you can also carry out surveys at school, a workplace and/or neighbours space.