Hedgerow Heroes Update – We’re on the home stretch!

Our Hedgerow Heroes project is making fantastic progress planting and restoring hedgerows in Herefordshire, which boost biodiversity, supports wildlife habitats, and preserves our county’s iconic rural scenery. We have now planted 2.4km of new hedgerow in Herefordshire!

Since the start of the project, we’ve been inspired by the dedication of our community volunteers and the generous support from local sponsors: Edward Bulmer Paint, Shepherds Ice Cream, Westons Cider, and Border Oak. Their backing has been crucial in driving our efforts forward and enabling us to make a real difference in hedgerow restoration.

The Why

Hedgerows are vital for sustaining wildlife, providing essential shelter, food, and safe corridors for movement. They support pollinators, birds, and small mammals, helping maintain ecological balance and contributing to the biodiversity of the countryside. Additionally, hedgerows play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion, improving water quality by reducing runoff, and capturing carbon, thus helping mitigate the effects of climate change.

The Who

We’ve been thrilled to see a surge in volunteer participation, with people of all ages joining our planting and maintenance days. These events not only benefit the environment but also strengthen community spirit and offer valuable educational experiences about the importance of hedgerows. By bringing people together, we’re helping them reconnect with nature while actively contributing to the preservation of our local landscape.

Recent planting sessions have been a huge success, thanks to the hard work of our volunteers who have helped us create new hedgerows and restore existing ones. It’s heartening to witness the community’s enthusiasm and commitment to safeguarding Herefordshire’s natural beauty.

Looking ahead – we need your help

To meet our target we need more people to sign up to the following planting sessions.

3rd and 4th March at Steens Bridge, Leominster

14th and 21st March at Yarpole

We provide the experience, equipment, facilities, plus lots of hot drinks and biscuits to keep you going!  Sessions run 10am – 2pm, but please give as much, or as little time as you have available. Children are welcome to join us, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Sign up to plant hedges with us here

Email us on info@cpreherefordshire.org.uk if you have any questions.

What’s next

We hope to continue this project into the 2025 – 2026 season, but that depends on the success of this year.

To achieve this goal, we need continued community support. You can get involved by volunteering at our planting days, spreading awareness, or become a member and support our ongoing work. Every contribution helps us protect and restore Herefordshire’s beautiful landscape.

Find our more here

Join us in our mission to nurture nature and celebrate the rich biodiversity of Herefordshire’s hedgerows. Together, we can create a thriving environment and a legacy of sustainable ecosystems for future generations.

For more information about upcoming events, volunteering opportunities, or how to donate, sign up to our newsletter below and follow our social media channels for the latest updates.

Let’s work together to make a positive impact on our environment and protect the beauty of Herefordshire’s countryside!