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Hedgerow Heroes Project

Dorset and Hampshire CPRE Team visit the Hedgerow Heroes project site on a windy and cold day 21st May 2021. Met with Rich Shirley (Hinton Admiral Estate Manager), Darren Lloyd​ (Countryside Manager) and Chris Sparkes (Hedge laying expert and trainer). Dorset and Hampshire CPRE Team visit the Hedgerow Heroes project site on a windy and cold day 21st May 2021. Met with Rich Shirley (Hinton Admiral Estate Manager), Darren Lloyd​ (Countryside Manager) and Chris Sparkes (Hedge laying expert and trainer). Taken by Bob Hart

29th May 2021

We are delighted to link up with CPRE Hampshire to support the restoration of hedgerows. It is part of a new project, called Hedgerow Heroes, to plant or restore over 15 kilometres of hedge across the country. 

CPRE Hampshire will be working closely with site landowners, the Hinton Admiral Estate, who will carry out the planting work. The site is on the Dorset/Hampshire border just to the north-east of Christchurch. The project involves the planting of 1.7 kilometres of new hedgerow and improving a further 1.3 kilometres of existing hedgerow to create a better habitat for wildlife. We are looking for volunteers to get involved to support the project which is due to commence in the Summer.

The new hedgerow will replace one which was removed many years ago – like so many other hedgerows across the county - and will run along historic boundaries identified from old estate plans. All hedgerows will be being planted with a mix of species native to Britain and will help support a broader range of wildlife. By replacing historic hedgerows and filling in gaps between old hedges, we hope to improve the habitat for animals such as dormice and bats.

By improving wildlife habitat and thus encouraging an increase in the local population of birds, mammals and invertebrates, the project will enhance the amenity value of the area and thus encourage more people from the local communities and the nearby urban area to access and enjoy the countryside.

The overall Hedgerown Heroes project will engage with more than 600 volunteers, 15 schools and two colleges. It will see the planting of over 50,000 trees and whips, improve the biodiversity of hedgerows, link landscapes, support carbon sequestration and connect people to the countryside.

The National Tree Council, who are organising the first ever National Hedgerow Week from 29th May-6th June 2021, say “Hedgerows are the often-unsung heroes of the British countryside, yet they form the UK’s largest wildlife habitat, they are a major part of our landscape and cultural heritage, and they have a crucial role to play in our future when it comes to halting biodiversity decline and tackling climate change.”

We would love to hear from local naturalists to help with the wildlife and soil surveys. But we are also looking for volunteers to assist with hedgelaying and hedge surveys elsewhere on the estate. No particular expertise is required, just the ability to undertake some light manual activity, a friendly personality and a keen interest in the countryside.

Anyone interested should please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

 

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