Hedgehogs are one of the UK's most beloved garden mammals, but they are currently facing a severe decline in numbers. A major cause of this decline is the loss of connected habitat. As homeowners replace old bushes and hedges with modern, solid wooden panel fencing set on concrete gravel boards, hedgehogs are trapped in small, isolated gardens, preventing them from traveling the 1-2km they need each night to find food and mates.
To help protect our prickly garden neighbors, GetBuilder has partnered with The Wildlife Trusts to launch the 'Trades to the Rescue: Help the Hedgehogs' campaign. The initiative encourages builders, fencing contractors, and landscape gardeners to build wildlife corridors into their projects. Here, we outline the campaign details and explain how you can get involved.
The simple solution: Hedgehog highways
Saving our hedgehogs doesn't require complex or expensive work. It relies on a very simple physical addition: Hedgehog Highways.
- A 13cm x 13cm Hole: By cutting a single 13cm x 13cm hole (approx. 5 inches) in the base of a garden fence panel or gravel board, you create a perfect doorway for hedgehogs to travel between gardens. This size is small enough to keep domestic cats and dogs secure, but large enough for the biggest hedgehogs.
- Our Campaign Target: GetBuilder aims to facilitate the creation of 10,000 new hedgehog highways across the UK during 2026.
How builders and homeowners can participate
We are calling on both our network of professional tradespeople and homeowners to adopt these wildlife-friendly practices:
- Fencing Contractors: When installing a new timber fence, offer the homeowner a complimentary hedgehog highway cut in the corner of one panel. GetBuilder is supplying free Hedgehog Highway signage templates that installers can screw above the hole to explain its purpose to future buyers.
- Landscape Gardeners: When designing a garden layout, incorporate natural corridors, log piles (perfect for hedgehog nesting and insect food), and avoid using chemical slug pellets, which are highly toxic to hedgehogs.
- Homeowners: Talk to your neighbors about adding a small hole in your shared boundary fence. Creating a continuous chain of connected gardens creates a massive wildlife sanctuary.
A note from our conservation partner
"Urban and suburban gardens are critical habitats for hedgehogs. By simply adding a 13cm hole in our fences, we can create vital highways that allow wildlife to thrive. We are thrilled to partner with GetBuilder and their trade network to make this a standard practice in garden renovations."
Design your dream garden on GetBuilder
Planning a garden makeover, new fencing installation, or patio project? With GetBuilder, you can connect with local, vetted landscapers and fencing specialists who support wildlife-friendly building:
- Post your requirements: Detail your garden size and landscaping goals (such as new fencing or decking) for free on GetBuilder.
- Check specialist profiles: Match with local professionals checked for insurance and trade credentials.
- Compare transparent quotes: Receive detailed written estimates from local specialists with zero success fees.
