CPRE aims to connect New Forest to South Downs with Hampshire Hedge scheme

AN ambitious project to connect the New Forest to the South Downs with a series of hedgerows has been launched by the Hampshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

The Hampshire Hedge initiative aims to create a "nature recovery corridor" between the national parks, from Copythorne in the Forest to Compton near Winchester, connecting woodlands, meadows, nature reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Work is due to start this autumn.

The CPRE is offering to train locals in how to lay hedges, which it says will boost biodiversity by helping wildlife movements, capturing carbon, improving food production and "enhancing our rural community".

Hedgerow officer at the organisation, Ellie Banks, said: “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.”

The Hampshire Hedge project is part of the national Big Give Green Match Campaign which will see any donations made between 20th and 27th April match-funded and effectively doubled.

To find out more about the project or to make a cash donation, visit the CPRE Hampshire website at cprehampshire.org.uk or email ellie.banks@cprehampshire.org.uk