CPRE Sussex announces new Hedgerow Heroes project

The new Hedgerow Heroes project is in partnership with fellow Sussex charity, Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group.

The project will plant 2km of hedgerow, using locally grown native species, on a farmland site on the Manhood Peninsula, West Sussex. The work will provide new wildlife corridors in a landscape surrounded by the protected areas of Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve, Medmerry and Chichester Harbour.

The thousands of metres of new hedge will be delivered by teams of volunteers from CPRE Sussex and the Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group. Hedgerow Heroes will provide training on hedgelaying, and help local primary schools learn about wildlife, whilst also restoring vital natural landscapes.

Preparatory work is already under way, with volunteer planting days expected to run from November and run until March. There will be opportunities for hundreds of volunteers to get involved, including for teams from local businesses. CPRE Sussex and the Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group will be opening up opportunities for volunteers to get involved in the coming weeks.

Paul Steedman, Director of CPRE Sussex, said: “We’re so delighted to be part of CPRE Hedgerow Heroes, working in partnership with the Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group, to bring new native hedgerows to this beautiful part of Sussex. Hedgerows are win-win-wins: great for nature, for locking up carbon, and for beautiful landscapes – we can’t wait to get going!”

Lesley Bromley, Chair of the Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group said: “Here on the Manhood Peninsula, hedgerows are so important because our flat, low lying land is windswept and the shelter they provide for wildlife and plants is essential. Putting back hedges and restoring the existing stock is a lifeline for the wildlife.”

The Sussex project is part of a nationwide CPRE Hedgerow Heroes initiative running across England. The scheme saw 28,000km of hedgerows planted across the country last year by teams of volunteers and local CPRE groups.