Thousands of hedgerow volunteers bring CPRE close to 100-mile centenary goal

Almost 4,000 volunteers, about half of them 2000 young people, have brought CPRE’s Hedgerow Heroes project within touching distance of its target to plant or restore 100 miles of hedgerow to coincide with its centenary in 2026.

In the project’s fifth year, which ran between November 2025 and March 2026, 3,846 people planted a total of 239,683 trees. This represents 33.8 miles of hedgerow planted and restored. The recent success brings the total amount of hedgerow created or restored by Hedgerow Heroes since 2021 to 99.8 miles. The 100-mile mark will be reached later this year.

Half of the volunteers who took part in the fifth year of Hedgerow Heroes were under 30 years old. Some of the 679 events were specifically aimed at young people. February’s ‘Hedgentines Day’, for example, was a partnership between CPRE groups in Kent, Cheshire and Hampshire and Young Wilders. Fifty young people attended to learn about hedgerows, how to care for them and how to plant them.

The CPRE groups that took part in the fifth year of Hedgerow Heroes are: Avon & Bristol, Cheshire, Cumbria – Lake District, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Sussex and Warwickshire.

Hedgerow Heroes is a response to the climate emergency and nature crisis, made possible through close collaboration with farmers, landowners and local communities. Hedgerows enhance rural landscapes and support sustainable farming through boosting biodiversity and wildlife, reducing noise pollution, preventing soil erosion and reducing runoff.

Hedgerows are under threat, however, from poor management (including incorrect laying and inappropriate cutting) and removal for agriculture or development.

Roger Mortlock, CPRE chief executive, said: “Hedgerows are an essential element of the landscapes we cherish. They not only define our countryside but also act as remarkable carbon stores and natural corridors for wildlife. For years, we have advocated for the government to set bold targets for expanding our hedgerow network, and with our Hedgerow Heroes initiative we are putting our words into action.

“This has been a bumper year, helping us to get closer to our ambitious goal of 100 miles of new and restored hedgerows by the end of our centenary celebrations.”