Hedgerow Heroes 2025 – 2026: almost 2km of hedge planted or restored

As the 2025-26 hedge planting season comes to a close, our volunteer Hedgerow Heroes can lay down their spades confident in a job well done.

Thanks to funding from the national CPRE Hedgerow Heroes programme, we have completed a grand total of 1,660 meters of new hedge planted, with a further 280 meters rejuvenated.

Ten very different locations

The work took place at ten very different locations across the Cheshire region, including former industrial sites, canalside towpaths, urban green spaces, public parks and a farm – Bridge Community Farm in Ellesmere Port. We were especially pleased to be able to plant at 7 sites in the Mersey Valley, which has been identified as particularly low in hedgerow cover.

Benefits for both people and nature

All the sites we chose are places where the new or improved hedging will offer benefits for both people and nature.

As they grow, the new and rejuvenated hedges will develop into species-rich hedgerows providing much-needed wildlife habitat and corridors. At the same time, they will enhance landscapes and make paths and open areas more attractive, encouraging people to get active and enjoy connecting with nature.

The trees are a mixture of native species appropriate for each site, and biodegradeable tree guards keep the trees safe from hungry rabbits.

Thank you to all our volunteers

Altogether, more than 130 volunteers took part in this winter’s programme, totting up between them a total of over 900 volunteer days. Participants included residents keen to get involved in improving their own local area, refugees, primary school children, and a group of young people from the Young Wilders charity.

And a big thank you to TCV

Both trees and project management were provided by the Greater Manchester and Merseyside TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) teams, whose experts planned and led the planting sessions. We couldn’t have done it without them! If you fancy getting involved regularly with practical conservation work, TCV have plenty of volunteer opportunities on offer.

Will there be more new hedges?

We hope so. We’ve applied for Hedgerow Heroes funding for the 2026-2027 season. Watch this space!