NTU Mansfield achieves “gold” award as a Hedgehog Friendly Campus
Nottingham Trent University's (NTU) Mansfield Hub has been recognised with the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Gold Award, celebrating the Hub's ongoing commitment to biodiversity, sustainability and wildlife conservation.
By Deborah Hinds | Published on 3 July 2026
The award is a significant milestone in NTU Mansfield's efforts to create and maintain spaces that support native wildlife, while engaging students, colleagues and the wider community in conservation initiatives.
The achievement has been led by a dedicated steering group made up of colleagues from across NTU Mansfield Hub, including teams from timetabling, library services and operations. Their collaborative approach has helped deliver a range of projects designed to improve habitats, raise awareness and support local hedgehog populations.
As part of the work towards Gold status, the team enhanced wildlife habitats through the creation of a bug hotel within a revitalised pond area, providing valuable shelter for a range of species. They also carried out two hedgehog surveys to better understand the presence and needs of hedgehogs in the local area.
Alongside environmental improvements, the NTU Mansfield team has focused on community engagement and education. More than £1,500 has been raised through local fundraising events in support of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, while awareness campaigns and educational activities have encouraged greater understanding of hedgehog conservation among students, staff and local residents.
The hub also hosted a knowledge-sharing event with other institutions participating in the Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme and worked in partnership with West Nottinghamshire College to deliver activities as part of a community Spring Wellbeing Event.
An information campaign video was also produced to help raise awareness of the challenges facing hedgehogs and promote simple actions that can help protect the species.
Bethany Holmes, Biodiversity Project Coordinator from The Hedgehog Friendly Campus team said, "Thank you to everyone who has been part of Hedgehog Friendly Campus at Nottingham Trent University Mansfield Campus this year. Your enthusiasm and dedication have helped make your campus a safer and more welcoming place for hedgehogs and other wildlife, and we are incredibly proud of everything you've achieved."