Call for Hedgerow Heroes in West Sussex

Volunteers needed to plant 10,000 trees south of Chichester.

CPRE Sussex is appealing for volunteers to help it plant 2km of native hedgerow this winter.

CPRE Sussex has teamed up with the Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group to plant 10,000 trees at Southend Farm, Donnington. The new hedgerows will create vital wildlife corridors, lock up carbon and enhance the local landscape.

Nancy Duckels, CPRE Sussex campaigns and communications manager, said: “We are going to need lots of help to get these trees planted. No previous experience is needed, and it does not require a lot of digging – just a slit in the soil. There are lots of different ways to help, from wrapping the trees to placing canes along the planting line. Everyone can play a part and last year we managed to get up to 800 trees planted a day.”

The planting in Donnington is part of a national campaign to extend the UK hedgerows network by 40% by 2050. Last winter, volunteers in Sussex planted 14,800 new trees on a farmland site on the Manhood Peninsula.

This year’s planting sessions will take place on Tuesdays from 10am to 2pm until mid-March. The first session is on Tuesday, 24 November.

Toilets are available and the Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group will provide hot drinks, cake and biscuits. Volunteers need to wear warm, waterproof footwear and clothing and bring their own gardening gloves if possible.

Register to take part here.