Hedgerow Heritage

Hedgerow Heritage

© Surrey Wildlife Trust

Hedgerow Heritage

Hedgerows matter

Hedgerow Heritage is an ambitious National Lottery Heritage funded project that aims to inspire and teach young budding ecologists, practical conservationists and the wider local community to restore, renew and create hedgerows in the North Downs and Surrey Hills.

Since 1945, hedgerows have been disappearing from the landscape and across the county the quality of remaining hedgerows is rapidly deteriorating. The loss of these natural corridors between wildlife populations is a major factor in the decline of Surrey’s natural heritage. Without these essential wildlife ‘highways’ connecting one habitat to another, wildlife populations become isolated and struggle to reproduce and survive.

The problem

Hedgerows are an essential part of our natural heritage and support a variety of plant and animal species. In addition to providing excellent wildlife habitat, hedges provide a variety of ecosystem services which benefit humans. This worrying decline in condition can be attributed to poor countryside management including a loss of traditional management skills such as hedgelaying and engagement of communities.

The solution

The ‘Preserving Surrey’s Hedgerow Heritage’ project aims to inspire and teach young budding ecologists, practical conservationists and the wider community to restore, renew and create hedgerows in the North Downs and Surrey Hills. The project will be running over four years and will seek to leave a legacy of healthy hedgerows and to equip local communities with the traditional skills and passion needed to ensure Surrey’s hedgerows thrive for future generations to enjoy.

Where we work

Our project area is referred to as a Biodiversity Opportunity Area (BOA) known as the ‘North Downs Scarp and Dip; Guildford to the Mole Gap’. It is located within the landscape of the North Downs, part of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Map showing the Hedgerow Heritage project boundary

Find out more

Project funding

The ‘Preserving Surrey’s Hedgerow Heritage’ project has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The project aims to involve the local community in the restoration of hedgerows across the iconic landscape of the North Downs, part of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Thanks to National Lottery players, we can take action to secure the future of Surrey’s hedgerows and create a more resilient, well connected and wildlife rich countryside.

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