EFFORTS to keep Solihull’s spikiest residents safe by Solihull’s grounds maintenance workers have been praised.
Veolia Solihull, has been awarded Hedgehog Hero status by the Hedgehog Preservation Society in recognition of its efforts to keep local wildlife safe.
The company launched a hedgehog conservation initiative to supports the efforts of Solihull Council, its local authority partner, 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.
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.
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.”
Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Planning, said: “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.”
