Hedgerow Heroes: 100 miles for 100 years

In our centenary year, CPRE’s Hedgerow Heroes have reached an extraordinary milestone: 100 miles of hedgerow planted and restored across England.

It’s a remarkable achievement – and a living legacy that will keep growing, providing homes for wildlife and enriching our countryside for generations to come.

From campaigning to planting

CPRE has been standing up for hedgerows for almost a century. In 2021, we took that commitment a step further. Through Hedgerow Heroes, local CPREs have joined forces with farmers, landowners, schools, conservation groups and volunteers to plant new hedges and restore existing ones.

The project has run alongside our national campaigning. In 2023, after a long and sustained push from CPRE, the government set targets to create or restore 30,000 miles of hedgerow by 2037 and 45,000 miles by 2050.

And with our centenary approaching, we set ourselves an ambitious goal: 100 miles of new and restored hedgerow for our 100th year.

From planting new hedges to restoring neglected ones through traditional skills such as hedgelaying, the project has helped reconnect habitats, share knowledge and inspire communities to care for their local countryside.

'What started as a campaign to push government to set ambitious targets for hedgerow restoration and creation has led to CPRE branches around the country 'walking the walk' and demonstrating that change is possible.'

Roger Mortlock, Chief Executive, CPRE

Why hedgerows matter

Hedgerows are part of the vital stitching that holds our countryside together. Yet we’ve lost huge stretches of hedgerow over the past century, and many of those that remain need better management.

Havens for wildlife

Hedgerows provide homes, food and safe routes through the landscape for birds, mammals and pollinators, connecting habitats and helping nature thrive.

Nature-based climate solutions

Hedgerows capture and store carbon, slow the flow of water and help protect our precious soils.

Connecting people and places

Planting and restoring hedgerows brings communities together, keeps traditional countryside skills alive and helps people connect with nature on their doorstep.

100+ miles

of hedgerows planted

239,683 hedge plants

planted in 2025–26 alone

3,846 volunteers

joined in during our centenary season

784 people

trained in the traditional craft of hedgelaying

What our volunteers say

Volunteer, Shropshire

'I have really enjoyed spending my Saturdays hedge planting. It leaves me feeling fulfilled and happy. This has even led me to pursuing environmental science in college.'

Tess, Volunteer, Shropshire

'I meet a great variety of people, the work isn't difficult and we all soon get the satisfaction of seeing the new hedge in the landscape.'

Molly Easton, Co-director, Young Wilders

'I'm proud of our generation for taking action for nature and doing something for their mental health and physical wellbeing.'

Thank you, Hedgerow Heroes

What began with five local CPREs in 2021 has grown into a nationwide effort, with thousands of volunteers helping to bring hedgerows back to life.

Together, those plants, hours of volunteering and muddy days in the countryside have added up to something remarkable: 100 miles of healthier, better-connected hedgerow.

Thank you to every volunteer, local CPRE, farmer, landowner, school and partner who made it possible, and to the funder/s whose support made Hedgerow Heroes happen.

The hedges planted and restored today will continue to grow, providing homes for wildlife, connecting landscapes and people, and enriching our countryside for generations to come.

Find a planting day near you

And thanks also to the other local CPREs who have been planting and restoring hedgerows alongside Hedgerow Heroes, adding even more miles to England’s hedgerow network.

CPRE is grateful for the support of The Tree Council, and the TOWS fund, along with many other generous supporters, in helping CPRE to have created and restored 100 miles of hedgerow.