Hedges are the UK's largest priority habitat
Hedgerows – whether we’re talking the leafy border around your garden or the iconic patchwork across the British countryside – they have the remarkable potential to help us tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.
Yet we’ve lost 50% of our hedgerows since World War II – and around 60% of the hedgerows we still have aren’t in good condition.
So caring for our hedgerows is a real way we can tackle the environmental challenges of our time and we need everyone to get involved.
Hedge facts
- Due to their presence at the level of pedestrians, hedgerows are natural barriers to harmful air pollution in our streets
- Hedgerows are the UK’s largest priority habitat – and are home to 80% of our woodland birds
- The Climate Change Committee has advised that the UK needs to increase our hedgerows by 40% to meet our 2050 net zero target, which means planting 200,000km of new hedgerows – the equivalent of half the length the UK road network
- Healthy hedgerows are essential habitats for UK biodiversity, supporting over 2,000 species including the hedgehog and several European Protected Species, notably the dormouse, most species of bat, the great-crested newt and many more
Benefits of hedgerows
Hear from Hedgelink partners about the many ways hedgerows improve life for us and nature.
Top ten tips for a healthy hedge
Follow these simple tips to keep your hedges healthy, happy and wildlife-friendly
5 endangered species that rely on hedges
Without hedges, these species would be in real trouble.
