Taking care of our hedgerows

Hedgerows are vital to biodiversity

As well as providing valuable cover and food for over 100 vulnerable species, hedgerows bring many benefits for farming, including increasing pollinator numbers, reducing soil erosion and providing shelter for livestock.

Work to protect and enhance hedgerows is therefore a vital component of our partnership work with Sussex Wildlife Trust through Wilder Horsham District. Assisted by dedicated volunteers, the project team works to grow and develop joined-up wildlife corridors across the landscape, while also supporting those looking after the land to manage and maintain these areas so native species can thrive.

The traditional craft of hedge laying restores and revitalises the hedgerow network by stimulating fresh dense growth at the ground level.

It is one of the tasks that the Wilder Horsham District team tackles during the winter months, before birds begin nesting.

Earlier this season, the team helped National Trust rangers to restore a long, overgrown field boundary at East Clayton Farm in Washington, near Storrington.

We are proud to be introducing more people to the craft of hedge laying. Wilder Horsham District volunteers have gone onto help manage hedgerows on the Council’s own countryside sites, through the Horsham Green Gym and others have learned a skill relevant to a future career in conservation.

Volunteer Ellie said:

Work party volunteering

Our team of volunteers helps us carry out a wide range of conservation tasks on both privately and publicly owned land. If you are interested in volunteering, we would love to welcome you. No experience is necessary.

Get in touch at: wilderhorshamdistrict@sussexwt.org.uk to find out more and sign up.