Chester hedgerow planting progress

With new funding on stream, we’re gearing up to continue our Chester hedgerow planting project.

Spring 2023 saw nearly 600m of new hedgerow planted at Countess of Chester Country Park, funded through CPRE’s Hedgerow Heroes initiative. Generous donations of £3,000 from from J H Willis and £250 from the William Dean Trust mean we can now extend the planting to a total of almost 1km.

Linking up existing hedges, the new planting will create new wildlife corridors and connect woodland habitats. It will also join up with the Chester Zoo Wildlife Connections trail, supporting the zoo’s work to boost habitats and encourage people out into nature.

Trees will be a mix of species, and will be protected by biodegradable tree guards.

Importantly, we are working closely with the Trust for Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and the Park’s Friends group. With their advice and support, we can be confident the hedge will have the best possible start and be maintained into the future.

Volunteers wanted

We will need volunteers, too (400m of new hedge takes a lot of digging). Dates are yet to be confirmed, but if you are interested in taking part, contact info@cprecheshire.org.uk. With training provided, you’ll get both fresh air and exercise and a new skill!

CPRE’s Hedgerow Heroes campaign

Hedgerows provide homes, food, and safe travel routes for birds, bugs and mammals, they lock away carbon – and, of course, they look beautiful. For all these reasons, hedgerow planting and restoration is currently a key area of focus for National CPRE, with the aim of increasing the length of English hedgerows by 40% by 2050.

The campaign is seeing significant success: important conversations are taking place with farmers, landowners and government, and 85 MPs have signed up so far as Hedgerow Heroes.

Find out more about CPRE’s work on hedgerows.