Two national parks to be joined by giant hedgerow

It'll connect the New Forest with the South Downs

Ellie Banks with Hampshire Hedge
Author: Jo RawlingsPublished 19th Apr 2023

15 miles of hedgerow is going to be built in Hampshire to connect two national parks.

The project aims to link up the New Forest in Copythorne with the South Downs in Compton near Winchester.

Hedgerows play an enormously important role in boosting biodiversity, capturing carbon, improving food production and enhancing our rural community.

It's believed the countryside has lost over half of all hedgerows since 1945.

Ellie Banks, Hedgerow Officer at CPRE Hampshire, explains: “The Hampshire Hedge offers communities a great opportunity to work together to restore and plant hedges in their local areas.

"We provide training on the traditional crafts of hedgelaying and offer some great resources to help communities learn surveying and hedgerow management to achieve the full benefits of their rich offerings.”

More information can be found here.

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