Hedgerow Heritage Film Competition

Despite the hard work of conservation charities across the UK over the last 100 years, nature continues to decline at an alarming rate. In Surrey alone one third of species are now lost or in decline. Surrey Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trust charities operating across the UK who are working to protect, conserve and restore precious habitat for people and wildlife, increasing the diversity and abundance of native wildlife across our county.

We manage over 5,000ha of land for wildlife across Surrey, including some of the county's top nature reserves and land belonging to other individuals and organisations. We also advise on a further 4,000ha of land for nature. We work with other organisations and landowners to protect and connect wildlife sites across the county and inspire local communities and young people to care for wildlife where they live. We’re working towards the national aim of restoring 30% of land and sea for wildlife by 2030, with 1 in 4 people taking action for nature. Find out more by reading about Our mission, 30by30,  and the vision for a Nature Recovery Network.

• Your film or animation with be shared across our platforms
• We'll produce a press release to announce the winners of the competition, with the opportunity to involve local press
• You'll be featured in our Summer edition of Surrey Nature magazine which is distributed to our 10k+ members

• Winners will receive a cash prize of £1000, while runners up will receive £500 and £200

Hedgerows are important for more species than any other habitat. Over 500 plants, 60 species of nesting birds, many thousands of invertebrates and almost all our native mammals are supported by hedgerows. Bullfinches, Yellowhammers, Slow-worms, Harvest mice, Dormice, Hedgehogs, bats and butterflies are some of the most visually appealing. More than 20 of the butterfly species found in lowland Britain breed in hedgerows, including Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Brown Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet.

Hedgerows are an ‘all you can eat’ banquet with early blossoms and leaves in spring, to Blackberries in the autumn. Hedgerows run alongside and through many other habitats, helping to enrich and connect those habitats, benefiting and acting as commuter routes for wildlife of all kinds from bees to Badgers. For example, they provide vital features for bats’ echo location to home in on. Without them, the bats’ soundwaves would have less to bounce back off and would risk bats becoming disorientated and less able to find food.

Hedgerows are a good source of food and shelter for Hedgehogs. When it is time to hibernate in the autumn, hedgehogs make use of a thick hedge base with tussocky vegetation and plenty of twiggy material and leaves. In the spring, they may build their nests under the dense low cover provided by bramble outgrowths. Hedgerows provide a platform from which birds can proclaim their territories. You might see a Blackbird singing, a Blue Tit surveying or a Robin chasing off a competitor.

Hedgerows don’t just benefit wildlife; they’re very important for people too.  They help protect us from droughts and floods by holding more water on the land for longer. Soil that holds more water is good for other plants and helps prevents water rushing off and taking topsoil with it. Hedgerows are a barrier against and an absorber of pollution, including carbon.  Researchers have recently found that roadsides hedges were highly effective at reducing pollution exposure for pedestrians, cutting black carbon by up to 63 percent. 

By improving soil structure, enabling good root networks, and providing shade and shelter, hedgerows help other plants to survive periods of drought. All of this benefits farmers, landowners and surrounding communities. Hedgerows were first used by early farmers to separate animals and crops or to mark ownership boundaries. The first mention of a hedge being planted was at Kingston Langley in Wiltshire in AD940. Rural hedges can include Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Ash and Oak. In more urban and landscaped settings, they are likely to include species like Box, Yew, Privet and Holly.

Hedge numbers have declined rapidly in the last century. According to the Woodland Trust around 118,000 miles of hedgerows have disappeared since 1950, due largely to intensification of agriculture. Neglect, damage and removal remain significant threats.

Visit our YouTube Channel to see our full collection of films. You can also view our collection of hedgerow webinars.

Hedgerow connections

In 2023 we commissioned this short animation as part of our Hedgerow Heritage project. The film shows how hedgerows can increase connectivity, creating natural corridors for wildlife. This time around, we're looking for something different, innovative and eye-catching - something we wouldn't have thought to do ourselves! We want to see all of the other wonderful benefits of hedgerows celebrated, alongside our key hedgerow species! Think about everything this versatile habitat has to offer.

Space4Nature project animation

In 2023 we commissioned the below animation to launch the Space4Nature project.