Call for volunteers to plant hedgerows this winter

Call for volunteers to plant hedgerows this winter

Last winter, 107 volunteers took part in the charity’s Hedges and Edges project. They spent 815 hours planting 17,860 trees over 25 sites in Cumbria. This season, they are aiming even higher, with volunteer days planned for sites across the county, starting with areas close to Penrith and Kendal.

Naomi Walker, nature recovery officer at Friends of the Lake District, said: “Hedgerows are amazing! They support healthy soils – hold carbon and slow down water flow, preventing erosion and flooding. And they are rich wildlife habitats. They’re also beautiful and provide field boundaries and shelter for farm animals. Since the 1950s, 118,000 miles of hedgerows have been lost across the country – together we can replant them again!”

We’re working with several partners to roll out this winter’s planting programme including: the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, the Tree Council, the Lake District Foundation, the Hadfield Trust, and the Cumbria Community Foundation. Many of the trees used in the planting are provided by the Woodland Trust.

“This is your chance to make a big difference and help create a lasting legacy in the Cumbrian landscape that will develop over years to come,” added Naomi. “As the hedge plants grow, they will provide vital shelter and shade for livestock, food, nesting and breeding sites for many different species of wildlife. Creating new hedges is extremely satisfying and a great day out. Come along and help, have fun and eat cake!”

The volunteer events are open to anyone aged 16 or over. Children are welcome with adult supervision, and the charity may be able to accommodate larger groups of younger people (such as school parties) upon request.

For more information and to book on to a volunteer day visit: www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/hedge-planting