You may remember a few weeks ago I mentioned the work of two young superstars - Eva and Emily - who bred and then released 250 harvest mice into the wild…

You might need to sign up to Substack to access that link, but it is worth it!!

Well, the reason for this update is to update you - which seems fair! First, they absolutely blasted through their fundraising target, and I have been told by one of the mums that this was down to YOU!!!! The generosity of the readers of the update I wrote meant they exceeded their target and I am so thrilled we had a part in it.

Secondly, a short film has been made about their work, featuring the visit they had from the wonderfully generous Chris Packham. You can see it on Facebook or on YouTube - and I really recommend giving yourself a few minutes to be reminded that there is hope …

They aren’t hedgehogs, I hear you cry, so why are they on here?

Well, it’s to do with making change happen. How is it that sometimes something good will emerge? 

To some extent, the hedgehog highways that the Hedgehog Street campaign, PTES, BHPS, and me via this petition have been banging on about has made some difference (not enough mind you - still want to see the hedgehog given serious protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act). How has this happened? Because, we keep talking about it! And also because it is something that most of us can actually do … talk to neighbours and make a small 13cm hole in the wall or fence.

A few years ago I wrote about Isabella and her campaign to save orchids from the blades of the councils mowers … and she won (at the age of 11!) 

The harvest mice got their new lease of life thanks to the will-power and creativity of young people. And, the giving of those young people the permission and capacity to follow their dreams. I can’t imagine how many nature-nerds there are out there who just do not have the space, time, and, lets be honest, money … 

This sort of thing tends not to happen out of the blue - letting young people have contact with nature, and maybe even agency over some patch of land, is a crucial start …

Wait …

As I write that I am wondering whether it is true? Are some of us just born with a nature-nerd predisposition? Would really love to hear your thoughts on this … is it nature or nurture to love nature? Or, probably, a bit of both!

Well, having access is important, and having contact also. Which is something that the hedgehog brings. Their lack of fight or flight response - making them so vulnerable tonight and this weekend as people carelessly light bonfires, also means that we can get a chance of ending up nose to nose with these wonderful and sentient animals.

And the harvest mice have allowed a real connection to form - obviously, from the film you will see, they do have a fight and flight response (poor Chris’ finger!) but, due to their size and their behaviour, Eva and Emily were able to form relationships with these animals, and in the process recognise their sentience. 

The seed that these mice have sown is growing - remember from the last article, what Eva has planned next …. Here is what she told me …

‘Did you know I was on Blue Peter?’ she asked. No, I had to admit that I had not been keeping a close eye on her (I will be doing so now!) ‘I was runner-up in Prince William's Earthshot Jnr prize for my ‘Wild Pets’ idea … One day I took my harvest mice into school to do a talk and all the kids - and teachers! - went crazy for them. Lots of people said they wanted to do what I’m doing and that It made me think there must be loads more children across Britain and the world who care about the “missing species” and trying to get them back before it’s too late.… so why don’t we create a network of children carefully breeding the animals, supervised by professional ecologists, and then releasing them into specially prepared wildlife recovery sites?’

If we can let young people develop their love of nature, just see what they can do. All power to Eva’s parents who have been willing and able to support her. What more can we do? Would love to hear your thoughts on ways to get young people excited at the thought of helping nature thrive.