The Forest of Marston Vale (covering the Bedford and Milton Keynes area) has supported several hedgerow improvement projects across their forest sites, ‘filling the gaps’ and ensuring that these valuable ecosystems can continue to thrive.
The team identified gaps as part of monthly site checks and worked to create a thicker, denser hedgerow with vegetation and scattered hedgerow trees – the type of hedge that most benefits nature.
On one site in particular (Wilstead Community Woodland) hedges were planted thanks to funding by the Newt Conservation Partnership, to help improve the terrestrial habitat of the area. Newts, like many species, use hedgerows as corridors to move around the countryside, as they create cover from predators so they can move around more safely. The hedge at Wilstead is approximately 400m long and joins two existing hedgerows together.
Newts, like many species use hedgerows as corridors to move around the countryside, as they create cover from predators so they can move around more safely
If you’ve been inspired this National Hedgerow Week to help improve these incredibly valuable assets, get in touch with your local Community Forest and discover more with a downloadable fun guide to help you #TalkToTheHedge, plus more fab resources on the National Hedgerow Week website at NationalHedgerowWeek.org.uk
And find out more about Wilstead Community Woodland
