Call for Hedgerow Heroes sites

We are hoping to win Hedgerow Heroes funding for the winter of 2026-2027. This follows our success in delivering almost 2km of new/restored hedgerow through the programme over the winter of 2025/2026, working in partnership with TCV (The Conservation Volunteers).

Hedgerow Heroes is a hedge planting and restoration initiative run by national CPRE with funding from external donors. 2025/2026 was the fifth year of operation.

It’s not yet confirmed if the initiative will continue next winter, but if it is and we are successful in winning the funding again, we will be looking for new sites. As it takes some time to assess and select suitable locations, we are starting to explore options now.

Where we can work

The area we can work in has yet to be firmly defined. However, it is likely to focus on the Mersey Valley, which has been identified by CPRE as being particularly lacking in hedgerows, and on nearby parts of Cheshire, the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester. We may also be able to consider sites across the whole of Greater Manchester.

Types of location

We are looking for areas where both nature and the public will benefit. Possibilities include public open spaces, country parks, urban parks, and stretches on private land alongside public footpaths. Funding conditions allow us to work with most types of landowners, including local councils, though there is a preference for land not owned by large wildlife charities.

Strong potential locations include spots where the work will meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Linking up existing hedges or wooded areas (so creating a new wildlife corridor)
• Enhancing the landscape
• Making an open space or footpath/cycle route more attractive to the local community
• Contributing to rewilding of brownfield land
• Restoring neglected and overgrown hedges
• Laying young hedges (typically around 5 -7 years old, or 2m high) to ensure they develop as hedgerow rather than growing out as individual trees

Working with local community groups

We welcome involvement from local community groups in planting and maintaining hedges

Let us know of a potential site

To let us know of a potential site, contact info@cprecheshire.org.uk. Tell us who owns the site, how it fits with our criteria, and if there is a local community group that might be interested in getting involved. If we are successful at winning funding for next season, we will follow up on the suggestions that look most promising.