Urbanization has significantly impacted wildlife, including hedgehogs, whose populations are declining due to habitat loss. However, thoughtfully designed outdoor seating can play a role in supporting these creatures. Here’s how:

1. Incorporate Natural Materials

Use untreated wood, stone, or recycled materials to create seating that blends with the environment. Hedgehogs avoid synthetic surfaces, so natural textures encourage them to explore and nest nearby.

2. Leave Gaps and Hollows

Design benches or low walls with small gaps or hollow spaces beneath. These provide shelter for hedgehogs to hide, sleep, or even hibernate during colder months.

3. Surround with Native Plants

Plant dense shrubs, wildflowers, or grasses around seating areas. These attract insects, a primary food source for hedgehogs, while offering additional cover.

4. Avoid Hazardous Features

Ensure seating designs don’t include sharp edges, deep pits, or steep drops that could trap or injure hedgehogs. Smooth, shallow transitions are safer.

5. Connect Green Spaces

Position seating near hedgerows or green corridors to help hedgehogs move safely between habitats. Fragmented urban areas are a major threat to their survival.

By integrating these principles, urban planners and designers can create outdoor seating that benefits both humans and hedgehogs, fostering biodiversity in cities. Small changes make a big difference—let’s build a future where wildlife and urban life thrive together.