Hedgerow Heroes: Protecting nature’s lifelines with CPRE Herefordshire

Here at CPRE Herefordshire, we have been delighted at the response to launching our Hedgerow Heroes project. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the crucial role hedgerows play, engage the local community, and promote the preservation and improvement of these essential ecological corridors.

The basics: so what are hedgerows?

Hedgerows are dense lines of trees and shrubs that have long defined the English countryside, serving as natural boundaries between fields and properties. These living structures are vital for wildlife habitats, act as windbreaks, prevent soil erosion, water run off and enhance the beauty of our landscapes. They also support agricultural productivity by providing a home for pollinators.

Usually hedgerows are composed of a mix of native species such as hawthorn, blackthorn, dog rose, elder, and various types of willow. The diversity within a hedgerow is essential, as it supports a wide range of flora and fauna. Height and thickness of hedgerows can vary, with some being low and bushy, while others are tall and tree-like.

The value of hedgerows

1. Biodiversity Hotspots: Hedgerows are vital for biodiversity, providing habitats, food sources, and safe corridors for many species. Birds, mammals, insects, and plants thrive within these environments. For instance, hedgerows provide shelter for hedgehogs, various songbirds, and numerous pollinators like bees and butterflies.

2. Environmental Benefits: Hedges play a critical role in environmental protection. Their roots help stabilise the soil, reducing erosion and runoff, while their foliage captures rainwater, allowing it to gradually seep into the ground. They also act as natural filters along roads, trapping pollutants and improving air quality, and help mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall by slowing down water runoff, reducing flood risks.

3. Climate Resilience: In the face of climate change, hedgerows are increasingly important. They provide shade, reduce wind speeds, and help regulate temperatures in agricultural areas. Additionally, they store carbon, contributing to efforts to combat global warming.

4. Cultural Heritage: Hedgerows are a key part of our rural landscape and cultural heritage. They reflect centuries of agricultural practices and land use, connecting us to our natural environment. Many hedgerows have been in place for hundreds of years, evoking a sense of nostalgia and identity within communities.

The Hedgerow Heroes project

Our Hedgerow Heroes project seeks to inspire individuals and communities across Herefordshire to actively participate in the conservation and enhancement of local hedgerows. We will provide educational resources, organise community events, and create volunteering opportunities through this initiative.  Our aim is to plant at least 2.5km of new hedgerows in Herefordshire by April 2025.

Campaign Goals

– Education and Awareness: We aim to educate the public about the ecological importance of hedgerows and their role in our environment. By offering workshops, talks, and informational materials for schools to help everyone learn how to identify, care for, and maintain hedgerows, as well as highlight the various species of plants and animals that depend on them.  If this is something you would be interested in please email us at info@cpreherefordshire.org.uk.

We are now taking bookings for our first two day course for beginners to learn about hedgelaying. Run by expert Richard Clarke from Really Rural, you’ll gain hands-on experience in this traditional country craft, learning how to manage and rejuvenate overgrown hedgerows. Through Richard’s expert guidance, you’ll acquire the skills to improve hedge structure, promote new growth, and enhance the habitat for wildlife.  The date of the first course is 22nd and 23rd October 10am-4pm, you can find our more and book here:

Book your place on our hedgelaying course here

– Community Engagement: Through involving local residents, we hope to foster community pride and responsibility for our natural surroundings. We will organise volunteer days for hedgerow planting, maintenance, and monitoring, enhancing the local landscape and building community connections.  If you would like to volunteer with us please click here to find out more and sign up!

– Conservation Efforts: The project will focus on restoring degraded hedgerows and creating at least 2.5km new ones. We will collaborate with landowners, farmers, and local organisations to implement hedgerow creation projects.  We have several suitable sites for planting hedgerows, these are predominately farms in North Herefordshire.  As part of our landowner’s agreement, they will ensure upkeep of the hedgerows.

– Advocacy: We will continue to advocate for policies that protect and promote hedgerows by engaging with local authorities and stakeholders to ensure hedgerows are considered in land use planning and development projects.  Our PLAN team have long been objecting to the removal of hedgerows, and have been successful in saving some very old sections of hedgerow, you can read about it here.

Hedgerow Heroes Sponsors

And a big thank you to our private sponsors for helping us hit our target. We eagerly await the final total in December. Every penny will go directly towards planting and preserving new hedgerows in Herefordshire. #hedgerowheroesherefordshire

How Hedgerows Grow and How to Care for Them

Understanding how hedgerows grow helps us appreciate their complexity and beauty. Hedgerows typically consist of a mix of native species that can grow naturally or be managed through traditional practices like layering and coppicing.

1. Planting New Hedgerows: If you’re interested in planting hedgerows, choose native species suited to your local soil and climate. Ensure your hedgerow is diverse to enhance its ecological value, with a variety of tree and shrub species providing different habitat layers.

2. Maintenance Practices: Regular maintenance is key to healthy hedgerows. This includes trimming to prevent overgrowth, removing invasive species, and ensuring young plants have space to grow. A well-managed hedgerow can last for hundreds of years.  Indeed the oldest known surviving hedgerow in England is Judith’s Hedge in Cambridgeshire, which is over 900 years old!

– Trimming: Pruning helps maintain the structure and health of the hedgerow. Ideally, hedgerows should be trimmed every few years to promote new growth and prevent them from becoming too woody.

– Coppicing and/or laying: When a hedge becomes gappy, the ancient technique of coppicing (which involves cutting back trees and shrubs to ground level to encourage new growth) can be utilised to rejuvenate hedgerows, creating a diverse habitat for wildlife.  Alternatively hedge laying (a craft where an expert cuts into the the lower sections of shrubs so they lie at an angle which allows the hedge to grow thicker and stronger) could be utilised to replenish the hedge.  This method is especially useful for hedges which are used to contain livestock.  We will be running courses in these ancient methods, please email info@cpreherefordshire.org.uk if you would like to get involved.

– Monitoring: Keep track of the wildlife using the hedgerow. Monitoring species helps you understand the ecosystem’s health and identify any emerging issues. Recording sightings of birds, insects, and plants provides valuable data for conservation efforts.

– Creating Wildlife Corridors: If you have a garden, consider replacing a fence with a hedgerow where and when possible to create a wildlife corridor. This enhances biodiversity in your garden and provides a safe passage for animals moving between habitats.

Call for Volunteers

We need your help to make the Hedgerow Heroes campaign a success! Whether you’re an experienced gardener, a nature lover, or just eager to learn more about our local environment, we invite you to get involved.

– Volunteer Opportunities: Join our community events focused on hedgerow planting and maintenance. Share your passion for nature and help improve our local landscape. We will host regular volunteer days, welcoming all experience levels. If you would like to volunteer with us please click here to sign up!

– Spread the Word: Share information about the campaign with friends, family, and on social media. The more people who know about hedgerows, the more support we can gather. Use hashtags like #HedgerowHeroes #CPREHerefordshire and #ProtectOurHedgerows to join the conversation online.

– Become an Advocate: Advocate for hedgerow conservation in your community. Attend local council meetings, engage with local representatives, and discuss the importance of hedgerows in land use planning and development.  If you would like some advice check out our PLAN webpage which is full of useful information here and you can email us at info@cpreherefordshire.org.uk if you need further assistance.

– Join Us Online: Follow our social media channels and website for updates on events, workshops, and educational resources related to the Hedgerow Heroes campaign. Engage with our content and participate in discussions about hedgerows and their importance.  Links to all of our social media channels can be found at the bottom of this page.

Conclusion

The Hedgerow Heroes campaign offers an exciting opportunity for everyone in Herefordshire to connect with nature and help preserve our local environment. By understanding the importance of hedgerows and participating in their care, we can ensure these vital ecosystems continue to thrive for future generations.

Join us in this important mission and become a Hedgerow Hero today! Together, we can make a difference. Remember, every small action counts, and together, we can create a thriving environment for wildlife and future generations. Let’s unite in our love for hedgerows and the diverse life they support.