Hedgerow Volunteering: Planting in Sapperton (with Sapperton Wilder)

⚠️ Important: All volunteers must read and agree to our risk assessment - read it here: HHP-PHASE-5-RISK-ASSESSMENT.pdf

🌱 About the Project

Building on the success of our previous seasons, CPRE Gloucestershire are working this year to restore and plant over 2 km of hedgerow across the county.

As part of this effort, we’ll be running a series of hedge laying and hedge planting days, where you can:

- Learn traditional countryside skills
- Support your local environment and countryside
- Help us reach our restoration and planting goal of 2.05 km this season

Whether you’re a returning volunteer or brand new and keen to learn countryside skills, everyone is welcome!

Together, we’ll help protect and enhance Gloucestershire’s countryside.

🌱 About the Project

Building on the success of our previous seasons, CPRE Gloucestershire are working this year to restore and plant over 2 km of hedgerow across the county.

As part of this effort, we’ll be running a series of hedge laying and hedge planting days, where you can:

- Learn traditional countryside skills
- Support your local environment and countryside
- Help us reach our restoration and planting goal of 2.05 km this season

🌱 What's Involved - Hedge Planting

Hedge planting is a rewarding and hands-on way to help restore our countryside. By planting new hedgerows, we create vital wildlife corridors, strengthen landscape connectivity, and support biodiversity for years to come. Young whips (saplings) are planted in protective spirals and stakes to establish strong, healthy hedges that will grow into thriving habitats.

At our hedge planting volunteering days, you will:

• Learn how to plant and protect young hedgerow plants step-by-step

• Gain practical countryside conservation skills (no experience needed)

• Work alongside our Project Manager and fellow volunteers to create new wildlife-friendly hedgerows

Our volunteering days are active and outdoor session requiring a moderate level of fitness — but all skill levels are welcome!

What to Bring

Please bring:

• Spades - we have a limited number, so please let us know if you are unable to provide your own
• Gloves - we have some available but you are welcome to bring your own
• Waterproofs, warm outdoor clothing & appropriate shoes
• A packed lunch and plenty of water
• A flask of tea or coffee (optional, but very welcome during the morning break!)

Site Location & Parking

The planting site is located just outside of Sapperton village, and will be on land managed by Sapperton Wilder. 

Sapperton Wilder is an ambitious experimental land restoration project to trial and demonstrate how improving biodiversity on low grade agriculture land in the Cotswolds can lead to both economic and community benefits. The specific term for this initiative is ‘regenerative agriculture’. The project takes an evidence-based approach to land use to understand how to maximise returns for nature and the local community whilst producing food profitably. It is exploring different methods of land restoration including agroforestry, natural flood management, livestock rotations and innovative technical applications. The research, including monitoring nature recovery, has been enabled by a growing relationship with local science partners.

What3Words reference: ///widely.mistaken.desk (By Car) if you would like to walk from the village, access from the public footpath is at ///bumpy.quietest.scoping

Parking: Access by car can be found at W3W: ///widely.mistaken.desk

⚠️ Important: All volunteers must read and agree to our risk assessment - read it here: HHP-PHASE-5-RISK-ASSESSMENT.pdf