About the group

Established in 1991, Herefordshire Badger Group has members throughout Herefordshire and is a member of the Badger Trust, which represents and supports more than 80 local badger groups throughout England and Wales.

The group exists to promote the conservation, welfare and protection of badgers, their setts and habitat. We consider badgers to be a beautiful and valuable part of our natural heritage and every effort should be made to safeguard their future.

Members are encouraged to support and assist in a variety of ways. For purposes of control and communications within the group, the county is divided into five areas (Bromyard, Hereford, Ledbury, Leominster & Ross-on-Wye) each area with its own co-ordinator. Co-ordinators deal with routine matters within their own areas and report back to the main committee and to members.

What we do

Our members, all volunteers, aim to protect badgers in a number of ways including publicity, education, fundraising and organised talks. Other examples of our work are:

• Casualty call-outs - We have members on call to help badgers injured on the road or caught in snares.
• Gathering information - Data is collected and records kept on sett locations, badger population, habitats, road casualties and changes of land use. The Group has good contacts with the local Police, R.S.P.C.A. Officers, other wildlife groups and other Badger Groups.
• Field Work and Sett Monitoring - Members regularly monitor setts in their area and check for any signs of illegal disturbance. Contact is made with local people and landowners.
• Advice - Help and advice on badgers is given to farmers, landowners, groups, organisations, and the public in general regarding any badger issues. The HBG can help with surveys, licence applications, encouraging / discouraging badgers and helping to solve any badger-related problems - we always try and find the best solution for everyone, people and badgers.
• Publicity - The Group raises awareness of all badger issues by having good connections with the local press, radio and television and attending local shows and events across the county throughout the year.
• Education - Illustrated talks are given to a variety of organisations and schools in the county. The Group also organises badger watching for members and social events such as outings and field walks as well as distributing leaflets and posters.

How you can help

• Watch out for persecution - If you come across suspicious looking people around a badger sett (often with spades and dogs) do not approach them. Make a note of their descriptions and any vehicle registrations, and then phone the police on 999. If you think a sett has been tampered with or have any other worries please contact a member of the Group, at any time.
• Report R.T.A.s - The Badger Group records all reported badger Road Traffic Accidents in Herefordshire so a picture can be built up over time of where the worst roads are and at what time of year. If you see a dead badger, make a note of where you saw it and on which road (a 6 figure grid reference is very helpful), and then contact us (see below).
• Record Sett Locations - The Group holds records of many of Herefordshire's badger setts, but not all of them and badgers are always digging new ones. Maintaining accurate records of sett locations helps us when assessing the impact of new developments and with general badger conservation. The HBG would therefore like to know of any sett locations in Herefordshire, all details will be held in the strictest confidence. If you find a sett, make a note of it's location (6 figure grid reference and a sketch map if you can), the number of entrances and whether it is used or disused (look for fresh prints, digging or bedding). Send your record to the HBG. Copies of our sett-recording sheet are available on request.
• Become a member - For just £6.00 a year (for an individual) you can help us to help Herefordshire's badgers.

How to join

If you would like to become a member of the Herefordshire Badger Group and help us in our valuable work, either as an active member or just to provide support through your annual subscription, then please download and print out our membership form and send it along with your cheque made payable to the 'Herefordshire Badger Group' to our membership secretary.

Annual membership costs just £6.00 per individual or £9.00 per household (membership year runs from 1st May). You will receive a welcome pack; the group's regular newsletter to keep you informed of our activities and you are welcome to attend any Group open meetings, the A.G.M. and any other events we organise.

If you want to become more involved in helping badgers there may be positions vacant on our committee or you may wish to help with casualty call-outs or help man our stall at various events. Contact us for more details, we always welcome new faces who can lend a hand.

Contact numbers

Fact File

Area covered: The county of Herefordshire.

Newsletters: These are produced twice a year, in March and September.

Meetings: These take place about every six weeks, and are held at Bartestree Village Hall, Bartestree, Hereford.

Membership: Individual £6.00 p.a.; Family £9.00 p.a.

Download application form (PDF format).

Herefordshire Badger Group is a member of the Badger Trust

Web page hosted by Badgers Groups UK