Dear friends,
Hedgerow planting season is now over! Many thanks to so many of you who contributed to the planting of over 700 metres of hedgerow this season; also those who helped survey the condition of hedges on different farms.
It has been a brilliant 1st year for the Hedgerow Restoration pilot, and a great example of many hands make light work. And a big thanks to the steering group members who have dedicated so much time to helping organise, create systems which we can use for the future, deliver training, help guide and make decisions.
THANK YOU to everyone! 🌱💚🦺
Review of the project
It was great to get feedback on the project both through the feedback forms, and during the feedback session last week, with some very useful suggestions and ideas received. You can read a summary, here.
Moving the project forward
We are still seeking funding for a hedgerow officer (I will update as and when we have any success). In the meantime to ensure the project can keep going we will be looking for some lead volunteers who might like to work together, or local partners/community groups to coordinate particular sites or farms. A summary of roles can be downloaded, here.
We will be looking to continue working with farmers and other sites at a pace which is sustainable; and consolidating/ deepening our knowledge, skills and confidence in the meantime so that we have teams or local community groups who can work together to move things forward.
And it’s not too late to get involved! If you’re a landowner/farmer, community group or volunteer who would like to get involved next season or find out more information, please email: hello@eastlothianclimatehub.org.
Volunteers can join our mailing list for updates and opportunities, using this simple form.
Opportunities for the spring
Hedgerow surveying training
If you’d be interested in taking part in hedge surveying and would like to receive training / refresh your skills we have two dates available :
- Thursday 30th April 10am – 12.30 in person at East Linton Community hall before moving on site for practice on site. Sign up
- Thursday 30th April 6.00 – 7.30pm online training for those unable to make a day time training Sign up
If you’d like to receive training on hedgerow surveying but are unable to make either of these dates/times please get in touch.
Become a project/site lead volunteer for surveying
Are you interested in working in a pair / small team to help coordinate hedgerow surveying for a farm in the spring and summer; or do you know anyone who might be? There are more details in the attached document (key roles) including likely time commitment. Mentoring and support would be available 🙂 .
If this would be of interest please get in touch, along with your likely availability (weekdays and weekends) in May / June; and I will then follow up to discuss the role in more detail and answer questions, so you can work out if this is something that you might like to do; and explore upcoming opportunities for some local farms.
Project/site lead volunteers for hedge planting
Equally if you might be interested working in a small team/pairs to help oversee hedge planting on sites in the future (Autumn/winter period) please get in touch to explore possibilities.
Hedgerow surveying
Dates for further hedgerow surveying will be arranged on some local farms in the coming weeks/months from May onwards, so please keep an eye on emails incase you’d like to get involved.
Supporting the project through data inputting or farm map creation
If you are interested in supporting the project through data inputting of hedgerow surveys; or creating maps of field boundaries to support the surveying process please get in touch (see more detail on the ‘key roles’ document). Training and mentoring available.
Hedge guard recovery for re-use
Over the coming months it will be useful to recover hedge guards which are no longer needed on sites, for re-use with planting later on. This will need to be done in a planned way in terms of where they can be stored, liaising with appropriate landowner etc. If you know of any sites where you think there may be opportunities for volunteer work parties to recover the hedge guards, and if you have contacts with the relevant landowner; or where you might like to take a lead in helping recover hedge guards, please get in touch.
Hedgerow planting and rejuvenation
We are now at the end of the hedgerow planting and hedge rejuvenation season as we head into spring; but we will be preparing a work plan for further hedgerow planting and dead hedging from the Autumn onwards, with dates shared closer to the time; alongside further training on maiden hedgelaying.
Thank you for all you have contributed to the project so far, in whatever role – however big or small – it all matters. And if you haven’t been able to be involved but want to just be kept updated on progress, that’s also great.
We have all learnt so much together; as well as generated a lot of momentum. Looking forward to working together, using our collective knowledge, skills and enthusiasm for rejuvenating our local hedgerow over the coming year. Have a lovely weekend when it arrives.
Warm wishes
Jo 💚
