Volunteers wanted to help survey hedge biodiversity

Landscape charity Friends of the Lake District is looking for volunteers to help survey hedgerow biodiversity in Cumbria.

As part of their ongoing Hedges & Edges project, which planted and restored over 5km of hedgerows last winter, Friends is seeking more volunteers to join them surveying hedgerow health.

Healthy hedgerows can support hundreds of different species of plants, insects, animals and birdlife and provide natural wildlife corridors through our countryside. But only 20% of hedgerows in England are currently in good condition, with many disappearing due to lack of management and investment.

Nature Recovery Officer for Friends of the Lake District Naomi Walker said: “If we want to improve and increase hedge habitats, it’s vital that we have accurate data on the current condition of our hedges.”

“Hedge biodiversity has not been mapped before so this project is very exciting – and could help us and other environmental organisations unlock more funding and action for hedge habitats.”

In training sessions volunteers will learn how to use the Great British Hedgerow Survey method, developed by The People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES). Trained volunteers will then be matched up with farmers and landowners local to them who are keen to have their hedgerows surveyed.  The hedge surveys will record hedgerow structure (height, width, and overall structural health), and plant species in the hedge and in the margins of the hedge. When surveys are complete, the information will be uploaded to the PTES website by the volunteers for the charity to use.  

Naomi Walker said: “This new citizen science project identifies heathy biodiverse hedges as well as hedges in need; we can then provide advice and help fund hedgerow recovery and conservation work. The information we collect will also be sent to the Cumbrian Biodiversity Data Centre, so it will help build a picture of hedge habitat health in Cumbria.”

If you’re interested becoming a volunteer hedgerow surveyor, you can find upcoming training dates on the charity’s website or sign up to their monthly e-newsletter for updates. See www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/hedges or contact naomi.walker@fld.org.uk for more information.