Help restore Bedfordshire’s lost hedgerows during Big Give
CPRE Bedfordshire, the campaign to protect rural England charity, is excited to announce that they have secured match funding for donations made between April 22 and 29 to its Hedgerow Heroes project.
Hedgerows are far more than simple field boundaries. They provide essential corridors that allow wildlife to move safely through the countryside, offering food, shelter, and nesting sites for birds, mammals, and pollinators. They also play a crucial role in tackling climate change by capturing carbon, protecting soil from erosion, and helping to reduce flooding. Their loss has far-reaching consequences—not only for wildlife, but for the health and resilience of our natural environment. During Green Match Fund, 22nd – 29th April 2026, every donation made to CPRE Bedfordshire will be doubled for a limited time, meaning your support can have twice the impact in restoring nature.
With your support, CPRE Bedfordshire aims to plant 1,000 metres of new hedgerow this year, as part of a wider three-year ambition to restore at least 3,000 metres across the county. This work will help reconnect habitats, strengthen biodiversity, and bring communities closer to nature. Local volunteers will be at the heart of the project, gaining practical skills in hedgerow planting and management while contributing to the protection of Bedfordshire’s countryside. The initiative will also expand opportunities for families, schools, and businesses to take part, creating meaningful experiences that support wellbeing and environmental awareness.
Jane Lee, Manager at CPRE Bedfordshire, emphasised the importance of this effort:
“This funding is absolutely vital. Hedgerows are one of our most important natural assets, yet they’ve been disappearing at an alarming rate. With support from the Big Give, we can restore these crucial habitats, bring wildlife back into our landscapes, and empower local people to take part in protecting the countryside they love.”
The decline of hedgerows has been driven by decades of removal, under-management, and development pressures. Across England, agricultural intensification and expansion have played a major role in their loss, and Bedfordshire has not been immune to these changes. Without intervention, the remaining network will continue to deteriorate, putting further strain on already vulnerable wildlife populations.
Your donation will directly fund the planting of diverse native hedgerows, support volunteer training and engagement, and ensure long-term care and monitoring so that these habitats can thrive for generations to come.
Through the Big Give campaign, every pound you give will be matched, but only for a short time. The website will open for donations at midday on the 18th, closing at midday on the 25th.
Donate via Bedfordshire Hedgerow Planting – Big Give