What better excuse for being outdoors in the countryside this summer than taking part in an exciting new project surveying hedgerows and the pilot for the county-wide project will take place in Chipperfield.

Hedgerows are an extremely valuable feature of our countryside. Not only do they mark historical boundaries but they also provide a valuable habitat for wildlife.

Unfortunately many hedgerows have been lost and many continue to be managed in an inappropriate manner.

It is anticipated that the information collected in the survey will give a greater understanding of the condition of the hedgerows in the area. This will enable us to identify those hedgerows most in need of restoration and an action plan of work will be prepared. Landowners will then be encouraged with help from the Countryside Management Service to undertake this work. The hedgerow project will also contribute to targets set in the Farmland Habitat Action Plan.

If this project is to succeed, we will need volunteers to help with the surveying work, which will be quite simple and all volunteers will be trained.

The amount of time you dedicate to the project is entirely your decision, so don’t be put off if you have never done any surveying work or if you have only a few hours to spare.

The first training session will be held during the morning on Thursday 20 May and another session is planned to take place over a weekend a little later. in the year.

Please phone the Countryside Management Service if you would like to take part or would like further details. Anna Cohen (CMS) 01727 848168 or e-mail anna.cohen@hertscc.gov.uk