Autumnal Activity Pack!

This October half-term, we’re super excited to announce our brand new Autumnal Activity Pack! 

Packed with an autumn-themed game and environmental activities, it's the perfect way to have some fun while learning about looking after our planet. 

Connie Jordan-Turner, Project Assistant for Our Zero Selby said; "We're excited to offer this free activity pack as a fun way for families to spend quality time together while learning about the importance of protecting our environment." 

You can pick up a free printed copy at Up for Yorkshire, Community House, Portholme Road, Selby, YO8 4QQ or download the game, wordsearch and environmental bingo.

There's also a fun word search competition! Deadline for submissions: 5pm on 6th November.  

Did You Know? 

Sadly, hedgehog populations have declined significantly in the UK. They are classified as "Vulnerable" on the British Hedgehog Conservation Society's hedgehog conservation status list.  

• Hedgehog Decline: Hedgehog numbers have declined by over half in rural areas and a third in urban areas since 2000.  

• Habitat Loss: The loss of hedgerows, gardens, and farmland has contributed to the decline in hedgehog habitats.  

• Road Accidents: Road accidents are a major cause of death for hedgehogs.  

How You Can Help Hedgehogs: 

There are many things you can do to help hedgehogs in your garden: 

• Create a hedgehog highway: Cut a small hole (around 13cm x 13cm) in the base of your fence to allow hedgehogs to move between gardens. 

• Leave a wild area in your garden: Hedgehogs need places to hide and hunt for food. Leave a compost heap, log pile, or overgrown patch of vegetation undisturbed. 

• Provide a safe retreat: Build a hedgehog house using wood or create a hedgehog friendly shelter from a cardboard box filled with straw. 

• Offer food and water: Put out cat food suitable for hedgehogs (high in meat content, low in cereals) and provide fresh water in a shallow dish. Never give hedgehogs milk or bread. 

• Be mindful when gardening: Avoid using slug pellets and strimmers, as these can harm hedgehogs. 

• Cover up drains: Hedgehogs can fall into drains and get stuck.  

• Make sure netting is off the ground: Hedgehogs can become entangled in netting and die.  

• Be careful with fruit netting and football clubs: Hedgehogs can get caught in fruit netting and football nets.  

• Don't drop litter: Elastic bands can kill hedgehogs.  

• If you have a pond, make sure it has a ramp or wildlife slope: Hedgehogs can fall into ponds and drown.  

• Create a feeding station: Provide a shallow bowl of cat food and water for hedgehogs.  

• Bonfires: Hedgehogs often seek shelter in bonfires. Build your bonfire on the day you plan to burn it, or use a stick to check for hedgehogs before lighting. 

Learn More: 

For more information on how to help hedgehogs and lots of child friendly information and activities, visit the British Hedgehog Preservation Society website.