This summer, the second phase of a project to consolidate and increase hedgehog populations on the fringes of Hampstead Heath is ramping up. Local groups have been working together to identify two possible wildlife corridors on the eastern side of the Heath to connect heathland with Waterlow Park and Highgate Cemetery.

Why hedgehogs? I hear you ask. Hedgehog populations have decreased dramatically in the UK and are now vulnerable to extinction. As an indicator species, they are an important part of the ecosystem species – so where hedgehogs thrive, the rest of the ecosystem thrives.

Urban areas are particularly crucial in the fight to build the population back up.

Ham & High: Where hedgehogs thrive, the rest of the ecosystem also thrivesWhere hedgehogs thrive, the rest of the ecosystem also thrives (Image: Growing Green)

In the first phase, the Heath & Hampstead Society worked with London Zoo to survey hedgehog populations in nature conservation areas north of Regents Park, which formed the basis for current plans.

Now Heath Hands, the charity of volunteers who help with nature conservation on the Heath, has taken the lead on the next phase and employed a hedgehog project officer, Emma Onyejekweto, to drive the project forward. Emma has been organising a series of walks in the target areas with local conservation groups to identify the best options for creating the hedgehog corridors.

Main areas on the east side being worked on are a north corridor, winding through Fitzroy Park allotments and gardens, and a south corridor leading through the Holly Lodge Estate to the cemetery and Waterlow Park.

How can you get involved? Well, if you live in one of the areas described, contact Heath Hands (info@heath-hands.org.uk) who can advise on how to encourage hedgehogs in your garden and provide access such as fence holes or gaps under garden doors. In time we will be working with all the local groups we can to contact homeowners and offer help with actions such as hole cutting, hedgehog boxes and log piles.

But anywhere you are, if you have a garden, please encourage hedgehogs by giving them places to hide, water to drink and fence holes to allow movement.

The Highgate Society, its community projects group, council members linked to Waterlow Park and Heath & Hampstead Society are actively supporting this project.

Jeska Harrington Gould, Highgate Society and co-founder of Growing Green, a London grassroots organisation taking action to rewild schools, improve air quality and increase biodiversity