Close the Gap is one of the first environmental projects awarded a grant from the government’s £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund. It is an 18-month programme focused on achieving bigger, healthier, better-connected hedgerows.
British hedgerows have immense biodiversity, wildlife, carbon-capture and heritage value. However, hedgerows are often overlooked. Between 1998 and 2007 the total length of managed hedgerow in England decreased by 26,000km (source: Hedgelink).
Close the Gap will help shape the future of England’s hedgerows in four ways: through hedgerow planting and ‘gapping up’; by gathering and sharing knowledge to improve hedgerow management; by ensuring good local supplies of future hedgerow trees through local seed nurseries; and by engaging the public with England’s important hedgerow heritage.
Sara Lom, CEO, The Tree Council said: “The Committee on Climate Change called for 200,000 km of new hedgerows to help achieve net zero carbon – but hedges are often forgotten in conversations about a greener future. Close the Gap will boost the immense potential of our hedgerows – for biodiversity, carbon-capture, conserving our natural cultural heritage and more. We want everyone to understand and value their local hedgerows and for more young people to consider the exciting land-based careers they offer. We’re grateful to National Lottery Heritage Fund for funding this partnership of leading organisations to improve the future of UK hedgerows.”
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Posted On: 11/12/2020