Skip to content

Hedgerows the 'unsung heroes of the countryside'

Chrissie Reidy,In Birlingand
Cash Murphy,South East
News imageChrissie Reidy/BBC Volunteers at the site in Birling, Kent, planting hedgerows. Both volunteers are in wellingtons and are wearing protective outdoor clothing, including gloves. The volunteer on the left is wearing a cap, with the volunteer on the right in a beanie hat. The volunteer on the right has a number of thin wooden poles in his hand.Chrissie Reidy/BBC
Volunteers planting at Birling Estate are involved in the Campaign to Protect Rural England Hedgerow Heroes project

A group of Kent volunteers is aiming to provide vital habitat for wildlife by planting about 3,800 yards (3,500m) of hedgerows in the countryside this year.

The volunteers planting at Birling Estate are from one of 13 local groups involved in the CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) Hedgerow Heroes project, which is now in its fifth year.

Andrea Griffiths, director at CPRE Kent, says she believes hedgerows are the "unsung heroes of the countryside".

"They provide vital habitat for wildlife, food and shelter, they connect existing habitat together by green corridors," she says.

News imageChrissie Reidy/BBC Hedgerows being planted in Birling, Kent. The wooden poles are wrapped in green. A spade can be seen sticking in the soil. A number of volunteers can be seen in the background.Chrissie Reidy/BBC
Hedgerows help species to move through landscapes from one habitat to another

Griffiths added: "There's not a bad thing about hedgerows. Hedgerows are amazing.

"They obviously store carbon, they improve our air quality, they improve the soil, they help stop flooding."

Huge numbers of hedgerows have been lost over the years due to intensification of agriculture and urban development, but Griffiths says this project is "trying to put some of that right".

The latest phase of this CPRE project is set to run into March, with volunteers from all 13 groups aiming to plant and restore 27 miles (43km) of hedgerow across 19 sites in Kent.

News imageChrissie Reidy/BBC Andrea Griffiths, director at the Campaign to Protect Rural England in Kent. Andrea is wearing a navy coat with the hood up. She has brown hair. Volunteers can be seen in the background.Chrissie Reidy/BBC
Andrea Griffiths, director at CPRE Kent, cites development as one reason for the loss of hedgerow over the years

Arable farmer Guy Nevill, steward of Birling Estate, says the aim is to add to the positive work already being done.

"There's lots of people doing really good stuff already, it's just trying to form a structure that helps to coordinate some of that."

According to the CPRE, the Hedgerow Heroes project has planted and restored 66 miles (105km) of hedgerow across England over the past four winters.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

Related stories
Related internet links