From a nature conservation perspective, leaves and other green waste should not be completely disposed of. Some of it can be distributed under bushes, hedges and trees as an accumulation to provide small animals, especially hedgehogs, with shelter and necessary winter quarters.
The Lower Nature Conservation Authority of the City of Salzgitter therefore asks everyone who sweeps up leaves to make an active contribution to species protection: In areas where it is safe to do so, collected leaves should only be removed in late spring. This provides shelter for hibernating animals that have already taken up residence there. This way they are not disturbed.
Think of hedgehogs when programming robotic lawnmowers
To protect hedgehogs, consideration should also be given to these nocturnal animals when using robotic mowers. As the animals do not flee in the event of danger, but curl up in a ball relying on their spines, an encounter with a robotic lawnmower is often fatal. It is therefore recommended to program the devices so that they only run during the day at the earliest 30 minutes after sunrise until 30 minutes before sunset. Especially when the robots are being serviced, it makes sense to adjust the programming accordingly.
Natural garden design
If you want to help hedgehogs, you should also keep your gardens and grounds as natural as possible all year round. Information and tips on how to handle hedgehogs and how to hibernate them are available from the municipal nature conservation authority on 05341 / 839-3421 or -3695 as well as online at www.pro-igel.de (opens in a new tab).
By the way: All hedgehogs with a body weight of at least 500 grams are fit enough to survive the winter on their own. Apart from a suitable shelter, they need no further help.
