June 2024 marked the conclusion of the four-year Hedgerow Heritage project, and SWT volunteers were invited to celebrate the achievements of those involved in establishing the project’s outstanding legacy – a Surrey in which these vital habitats are more valued, better protected, and more prevalent across our landscapes.
As the evening commenced, Hedgerow Heritage Project Manager Katy Fielding reflected on the targets exceeded, the challenges faced and the power of a determined volunteering effort.
The Hedgerow Heritage project was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and launched at the start of 2020 to help combat the climate and nature crisis: a third of nature in Surrey is under serious threat, and the loss of hedgerows is a major factor in the decline of Surrey’s biodiversity and bio abundance. Without these essential wildlife ‘highways’ connecting one habitat to another, wildlife populations become isolated and struggle to reproduce and survive.
The project aimed 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. Our dedicated volunteers and staff far exceeded the target of restoring 6.5km of hedgerow on partners’ land, and have engaged with almost 9,000 people, with 6,722 people attending ‘hedge-ucation’ activities and a further 967 people attending hedgerow-related events.
While the project is now coming to an end, its legacy will live on in the local communities and volunteers who have been imbued with the traditional skills and passion needed to ensure Surrey’s hedgerows thrive for generations to come.
Throughout the afternoon, volunteers enjoyed refreshments and participated in workshops including willow weaving, small mammal trapping, botanical gin making, habitat and pollinator surveys, and guided walks. Speakers included SWT Chief Executive Sarah Jane Chimbwandira, Project Manager Katy Fielding, Director of Reserves Management James Herd, Space4Nature Conservation Officer Louis Harrington-Edmans, and representatives from the SWT Youth Action Committee.
