Awarded: £4,930

Slade Farm Organics will conduct a field trial to survey hedgerows and assess the diversity of species, to provide valuable data on hedgerow contribution to carbon capture, biodiversity, and sustainable farming practices. A podcast will share the findings with a broader audience, highlighting the importance of hedgerow diversity, its implications for climate action, and practical insights from nature friendly farmers.

Key Findings

• Hedgerows that had been recently coppiced or laid supported the highest species diversity, underlining the value of active, rotational management.
• Hedgerows were shown to support priority species such as brown hares, insectivorous birds, and pollinators—key contributors to ecosystem health.
• Public engagement in biodiversity monitoring proved highly educational and effective in raising ecological awareness across generations, connecting local communities to the nature on their doorstep.

Recommendations for further research and activity

• Advance research into the relationship between hedgerow age, management practices, carbon sequestration, and soil health, beginning with future soil sampling in and around hedgerows.
• Create and refine replicable models for community-led biodiversity monitoring, enabling farmers and local groups to contribute meaningful data to sustainable land management.
• Expand the Slade Farm podcast series, building on the success of Living Field, as a powerful platform for sharing project insights, amplifying farmer voices, and engaging the wider public in nature-friendly farming.