About the event

Join us for the next Wild Exchanges, our quarterly gathering for community groups, volunteers, and nature lovers to connect, share ideas, and take action for wildlife in Nottinghamshire.

Why Hedgehogs? You Chose It!

At our first Wild Exchanges event back in March, attendees voted for Species Recovery to be the focus of our next session. From that, hedgehogs and citizen science emerged as the top priority – a perfect blend of hands-on conservation and public involvement. This event is shaped by your input and designed to support the work already happening across our county.

What to Expect

Inspiring Talks & Panel Discussion

• A headline talk from the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme
• Lightning talks and Q&A with local experts including: NG16 Help Hedgehogs (rescue and rehab charity)and others
• Hands-on Garden Stations (with support from Keeping It Wild youth group): Get stuck in and learn practical ways to monitor, track and support hedgehogs – from footprint tunnels to wildlife cameras and citizen science apps.
• Connect & Collaborate Meet like-minded people, share challenges and success stories, and discover how small actions can make a big difference for hedgehogs.
• Pizza, sweet treats & drinks available to buy from the café on the night.

Whether you’re part of a community group, school, local project or just curious about what you can do for nature – this is a chance to exchange knowledge, get inspired, and take practical steps for hedgehogs.

Book your free place now and be part of Nottinghamshire’s growing movement for wildlife!

Note this event is free to attend, but there is a charge for parking. See here for more information: Attenborough Car Parking | Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Why Hedgehogs Matter

Hedgehogs are one of the UK’s most loved mammals, but their numbers have plummeted in recent decades. Loss of habitat, busy roads, fencing, pesticides, and lack of food sources have all contributed to their decline.Helping hedgehogs isn’t just about saving one species – they’re an important indicator of the health of our urban and rural ecosystems. By creating safe spaces and contributing to national monitoring efforts, we can play a vital role in their recovery – and support countless other species along the way.

What is Citizen Science?

Citizen science is when everyday people like you help collect valuable data for scientific research. You don’t need a degree or special equipment — just curiosity, observation, and a willingness to get involved.Whether you're jotting down wildlife sightings in your garden, setting up a footprint tunnel, or uploading photos to a monitoring app, your contributions help build a clearer picture of how species like hedgehogs are doing — locally and nationally.

Why Citizen Science Matters

Hedgehogs are declining across the UK, but by recording when and where we see them, we can track population changes, spot threats, and target conservation efforts where they're most needed. The more people who take part, the better the data — and the better chance we have of helping hedgehogs recover.

Citizen science is for everyone. Whether you're part of a community group or just starting your journey with wildlife, this event will show you how easy and meaningful it can be to get involved.