Project seeks locations for new hedgeplanting and restoration

Landscape charity Friends of the Lake District is looking for sites in Cumbria to plant new hedges, and lay or restore existing hedges in need of a little TLC.

The charity is particularly interested in applications for new hedge planting and planting up gaps in existing hedges.

Last year Friends of the Lake District’s Hedges and Edges project planted and restored 5km of hedgerows, with the help of over 100 dedicated volunteers. This winter, the charity is aiming to plant and restore 6km of hedgerows.

The project is supported by CPRE’s Hedgerow Heroes funding, as well as by The Woodland Trust, The Lake District Foundation, and others.

Hedge planting volunteers. Images by Jonny Gios

Nature Restoration Officer Naomi Walker said: “We have lost around 50% of our hedgerows in the last 75 years and it’s crucial that we restore them. Hedgerows provide corridors across the landscape for wildlife as well as food and safe habitats. Livestock also benefit from having access to a variety of plants to forage and shelter from the elements. Our summers are only going to get hotter, so it’s important livestock have somewhere to shelter from the heat, as well as from wind in winter.”

Target areas

The project is targeting areas in the lower Eden, Eamont, Petteril, Greta, Rawthey and upper Lune river catchments. Click here to see a map of our target areas.

If you would like to apply, please email naomi.walker@fld.org.uk with your name, address, and if possible, a map of the area you’d like to plant up or of the hedgerows that need restoring.

Become a Hedge Survey volunteer

As part of the Hedges and Edges project, Friends of the Lake District is also surveying hedgerow biodiversity and training volunteers to carry out hedge surveys for landowners. If you’re interested becoming a volunteer hedgerow surveyor, you can find upcoming training dates and events here. See www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/hedges or contact naomi.walker@fld.org.uk for more information.

Upcoming Events:

Hedgerow Survey Training Morning, Sun 9 August, 10am-12:30pm, Low Sizergh Barn, Kendal

Forage and Feast Event, Sun 9 August, 1pm-4pm, Low Sizergh Barn, Kendal

Hedgerow Survey Training, Sat 5 September, 10am-12:30pm, Gowbarrow Farm, Watermillock

See our Events page for more