Hedgerow Heroes Phase Five: 13 local CPREs join the mission

Phase Five of our Hedgerow Heroes project is now underway, with 13 local CPREs taking part in the 2025–26 season. We’re aiming to plant and restore 100 miles of hedgerows for our centenary year, and we’re well on track!

For five years, Hedgerow Heroes has been bringing people together to plant, protect, and rejuvenate hedgerows across England. This season, the project will be delivered by CPRE groups in: Avon and Bristol, Cheshire, Cumbria – Lake District, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Sussex, and Warwickshire.

Each local CPRE will work with local people, farmers, conservation experts and nature enthusiasts to connect communities with the countryside in a meaningful and hands-on way.

Activities will include:

• Learning the traditional rural craft of hedgelaying
• Exploring what makes a healthy hedgerow
• Teaching children and young people about the value of hedgerows
• Supporting wildlife and biodiversity through practical action

So far, Hedgerow Heroes has helped to create and restore 66 miles of hedgerows, inspiring hundreds of volunteers and deepening public understanding of their vital role.

We’re thrilled to be launching Phase Five, which will run until April 2026. Read on for a snapshot of each local project and see how they’re making a difference in their communities.

CPRE Avon and Bristol

CPRE Avon and Bristol will plant and restore 3,000 metres of hedgerow across 10 sites. This includes 18 planting days, 10 hedgelaying sessions, six professional hedgelaying training sessions, four guided walks or talks. In total, at least 100 volunteers from diverse backgrounds are expected to take part. They are working towards their own CPRE Centenary Challenge to complete 10,000 metres of hedgerow.

CPRE Cheshire

Across six sites in Cheshire, 2,000 metres of hedgerow will be planted and restored. There will be eight community planting days, four hedgelaying and gapping events, and a series of training sessions in hedgelaying and three hedge planting workshops. CPRE Cheshire will be involving schools and community groups along the way.

Cumbria – Lake District

Friends of the Lake District are joining the project for the first time this year. Their target is to plant and restore 4,000 metres of hedgerow in around 20 locations across three main areas: The Howgills National Character Area, the River Pettril, and Ullswater catchment. They will host three hedgerow management and surveying training days, ten planting days, four talks, four hedgelaying demonstration sessions and 30 hedgelaying and restoration days.

CPRE Derbyshire

CPRE Derbyshire joined the project in its second year and are now back for Phase Five. They will be working across four areas of Derbyshire to plant and restore 2,300 metres of hedgerow. There will be opportunities for school children and the local community to get involved. Hedgelaying training will be on offer, and they anticipate at least 100 volunteers.

CPRE Gloucestershire

CPRE Gloucestershire will be working across six locations in the area to complete around 2,000 metres of hedgerow. They are inviting two schools to join them and will have 12 hedgelaying training days and 17 hedge planting sessions.

CPRE Hampshire

CPRE Hampshire are on the last leg of their Hampshire Hedge project and Hedgerow Heroes is an instrumental part of this. This season, they will plant and restore 5,500 metres of hedgerow across multiple locations, while also surveying and mapping existing hedges. There will be 18 hedgelaying training days, regular hedge planting and engagement sessions, school activities, and community talks.

CPRE Herefordshire

Now in its second year, the Hedgerow Heroes project in Herefordshire will focus on around 10 sites; planting and restoring 4,000 metres of hedgerow. The team aims to host 50 planting days, five hedgelaying events, four talks, while also working with local schools, colleges, parish councils and community groups.

CPRE Hertfordshire

In its first year, the Hedgerow Heroes project in Hertfordshire will work with the Herts & Middlesex Butterfly Conservation group to plant 2,100 metres of hedgerow across the north and east of the county. The team will host 10 planting days, giving volunteers hands-on experience, while also working closely with local colleges, farmers, and landowners.

CPRE Kent

It’s also CPRE Kent’s first time taking part in Hedgerow Heroes, and they will be planting and restoring some 5,500 metres of hedgerow over 14 sites. They will host over 60 planting days in which the public can get involved.

CPRE Oxfordshire

CPRE Oxfordshire are working with their long-term partner, Wild Oxfordshire, to plant and restore around 4,000 metres of hedgerow. The work will take place across 15 locations in the area and will include hedgelaying, surveying and hedgerow management workshops. There will be lots of opportunity for people to join in with hedge planting days.

CPRE Shropshire

CPRE Shropshire have been involved in Hedgerow Heroes previously and this year aim to plant and restore around 4,000 metres of hedgerow across 15 locations. There will be at least 15 planting days, three hedgelaying workshops, three hedge-related art workshops and three hedgerow management workshops for farmer groups.

CPRE Sussex

CPRE Sussex are joining the project for the first time with a goal of planting 2,020 metres of hedgerow at Oakhurst Farm in Ham, Sidlesham. They’ll be working alongside Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group and will host multiple volunteer planting days. They’re aiming to work with local schools and businesses along the way.

CPRE Warwickshire

Returning for a second year of Hedgerow Heroes, CPRE Warwickshire will be planting and restoring 3,000 metres of hedgerow. There will be three hedgelaying training sessions, 20 planting days and 10 days of hedgelaying.

Find out more

If you’re interested in joining a hedge planting or laying session, check the linked websites above for details. The practical work season runs from October 2025 to March 2026.