A CAMPAIGN to grow hedgerows across Dorset has been given a boost with a grant of £6,000.

Dorset Climate Action Network (Dorset CAN), a charity instigating measures to address the climate and ecological crisis, has recently welcomed funding for the Great Big Dorset Hedge project from Dorset CPRE, the local branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (The Countryside Charity).   

The Great Big Dorset Hedge (GBDH) is a long-term campaign to facilitate the restoration and extension of hedgerows across all of Dorset.

The Trustees at Dorset CPRE agreed a £6,000 funding request for the project to sustain the momentum as they manage further growth.

Hedgerows are a crucial part of the ecosystem and biodiversity in Dorset.

The project plans to grow throughout 2024. So far more than 2000 volunteer hours have been dedicated to hedgerow surveys, provided by over 150 active volunteers.

Specialist support is provided to those volunteers by Alex Stephen and Vicki Gallagher.

John Calder the voluntary Project Manager, said: “We would not be able to grow without Alex and Vicki in place and, right now, that is all due to the generous support we obtain from Dorset CPRE.”

Mr Calder hopes to increase from 20 km of hedgerow surveys per month, to closer to 50 km a month.

Dorset CPRE President, Kate Adie and Chair, Neil Matthews both joined John Calder and Linda Williams of Dorset CPRE on a frosty January morning to sample the GBDH survey process in Chilfrome near Maiden Newton.

Neil Matthews, Dorset CPRE chair said: “Hedgerows are the single most important wildlife corridors in the countryside.  They join up habitats and make the English landscape immediately recognisable. 

"The work of John Calder and his team is invaluable in helping farmers manage and sustain their hedges for now and for the future. I am so pleased Dorset CPRE is able to support this vital project."