Book Summary

Hedgerow Survey Handbook

A Standard Procedure for Local Surveys in the UK

This new publication, produced by DEFRA, contains a wealth of information regarding our Hedgerows and how to survey them. The handbook shows how to identify hedges that are in good shape, as well as those in need of management and restoration. It will also help to pinpoint the best places to fill gaps in the hedgerow network with new planting.

"Hedgerows need the care and commitment of local people, land managers and the wider public," says Environment Minister Michael Meacher. "The handbook will give local communities the chance to take part in the delivery of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan for Ancient and / or Species-rich Hedgerows." This plan is part of the UK's commitment to the global Convention on Biological Diversity, signed at the first Earth Summit in 1992. It aims to safeguard, restore and re-create hedgerows full of wildlife.

Conservationists desperately need to know:

• how many hedges are left in your area?
• how important are they for wildlife?
• what condition are they in?
• what are their distinctive qualities?

To help answer questions like these, the handbook establishes a new and consistent method of surveying hedges for wildlife throughout the United Kingdom. Without this information, we risk losing some of our best-loved countryside features - the green veins of our land.

The handbook also contains details of potential sources of finance. To get the ball rolling, the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has set aside �25,000 this year for funding hedgerow surveys throughout the UK. The Countryside Council for Wales also has funding available for surveys in Wales.

Its not often you get a document of this quality and containing such a wealth of handy information FREE on the internet! So start your modems sweating and break out the new colour cartridge for your old Ink-Jet because its worth printing out in full. Alternatively get hold of a free copy from Defra, Conservation Management Division, Area 4D, Ergon House, Horseferry Road, London SW1P 3JR. Call them on 020 7238 5662/7; E-mail farmland.conservation@defra.gsi.gov.uk). Note: When I contacted them they were out of stock of the colour bound copies.

Copies can be downloaded in PDF format FREE from the English Nature's website. The three sections of the handbook are linked below. You need Acrobats File Reader to view these.

• Download Hedgerow Survey Handbook - part 1 (1.02MB)
• Download Hedgerow Survey Handbook - part 2 (917KB)
• Download Hedgerow Survey Handbook - part 3 (826KB)

• Link to English Nature

� 2000 Chris Skellern. AIE.    Home  | News | A-Z Index  | Resources  |  Contact AIE  |  Terms of Use