Hedgerow Heroes

Hedgerow Heroes is a wider CPRE project launched in 2021 to support the national campaign to increase the hedgerow network by 40% by 2050. To date, Hedgerow Heroes has seen 75.6km (47 miles) of hedgerow in England rejuvenated and created. This project also aims to inspire individuals and give a greater understanding of the importance of hedges to our environment and wildlife. We are thrilled to be a part of the project this season and are excited to partner with local communities, schools, landowners, and farmers, to raise awareness about the importance of hedgerows, manage existing ones, and plant 2.5km (1.6 miles) of new hedgerow by April 2025.

The importance of hedgerows:

Did you know, since 1945 England has lost over half of its hedgerows which are vital for nature, bursting with life and they support one in ten of the UK’s vulnerable species, including the hazel dormouse and the beloved hedgehog, whose decline is closely linked to hedgerow loss. The lines of hedges crisscrossing our countryside act as wildlife corridors, linking habitats together and providing safe movement for many scurrying, flying and scuttling animals such as endangered dormice and rare brown hairstreak butterflies.  You can find out more about the history of hedges here.

Become a Hedgerow Hero Volunteer:

We’re building a team of volunteers for our local Hedgerow Heroes project, and we’d love you to join us! As part of this enthusiastic group, you’ll help plant new hedgerows in North Herefordshire. Volunteering days run from 10am to 2pm on weekends and weekdays. We welcome both individual volunteers and businesses looking to participate through charity days.  Sign up below to find out more!

Register your interest to volunteer with us here

Increasing knowledge:

During the winter season we will be running a series of two-day hedge laying courses 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.  Our first two courses are now fully booked so we have released the dates for our third and final course for this year, on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th November and available to book here –

Book your place on our 3rd hedgelaying course here

We also have classroom resources for Key Stage 1 and 2 children downloadable below.

Hedgerow Heroes Sponsors

Edward Bulmer Natural Paint

Westons Cider

 Shepherds Ice Cream

Border Oak

Thank you to our private sponsors too for helping us hit our target.

Protecting our existing hedgerows:

The continuous work of our PLAN team protecting the Herefordshire countryside includes objecting to unsuitable developments, sadly these can often be the proposed removal of existing hedgerows.  If you’d like to find out more about our work or whether a hedgerow near you can be saved, click here.