National Hedgerow week – starts 6 May 2024
From 6 May 2024 it’s National Hedgerow week (NHW) and this year’s theme is “connectivity”, because hedgerows are amazing – but they are even more amazing when they are connected to other hedgerows.
Environmental Improvement Plan has set ambitious targets to create 45,000 miles of new or restored hedgerow by 2050, so there is still a long way to go.
And while NHW is about encouraging everyone to appreciate and enjoy the benefits UK hedgerows bring, a focus for 2024 is the mighty hedgerow tree. The Tree Council’s research suggests the population is getting older, with precious few young ones filling the gaps left behind. Ash dieback also looms large over this crucial British landscape treasure.
The Tree Council is hosting free, online Hedge Talks throughout the week, with insights into the latest hedgerow tree research, perspectives from the real-life world of hedgerow management, and a special focus on the threats hedgerows face from pests and diseases.
The Tree Council CEO, Sara Lom said:
“This National Hedgerow week it’s all about hedgerow connectivity and the wonderful role they play, providing wildlife with a sheltered and bountiful highway network, protecting agriculture, whether livestock or crops, creating living boundaries in our towns and cities, bringing greenery, capturing carbon, and delivering more than a little beauty to our rail lines and roadsides.
“Come to our talks, pay special attention to your local hedges this week, and learn all the amazing things they do for us and how we can plant more, and manage them better to benefit nature and humans.
“We want to help everyone to see hedges differently - please join us.”
To book your free Hedge Talk spot, and much more, please visit: National Hedgerow Week 2024 - Celebrate connectivity this spring (hedgelink.org.uk)
Read more here: The Tree Council | Working together for the love of trees
To find out what we have been doing in the Arun district: Did you know? We are committed to conservation | Latest news | Arun District Council