Hedgerows are a common sight amongst our landscape, but startlingly we have lost 50 per cent of our hedgerows since World War II – and around 60 per cent of the hedgerows we still have aren't in good condition. But things are changing at Cutacre nature reserve, all thanks to a little help from our friends.

Recently members of the Eco Club at St Georges Central CE Primary School in Wigan came along for a fun (and very muddy!) afternoon planting a new area of hedgerow, to help support the recreation of this vital habitat.

“We’re here planting hedgerow trees to improve the environment and help animals – and it will help people too. We’re all having a great time – and it was funny when we all fell over!” said Meredith and Nina from Year 6.

Amelia added, “We’re planting a hedgerow to help protect animals and make more habitat for them. It’s really fun and we’ve planted loads of trees – it’s absolutely amazing!”

And we can’t miss a shout out to Ollie, also from Year 6, who was our champion planter, planting a whopping 20 trees! He said, “Trees produce oxygen which is really important, and they help wildlife – I also love the smooshing!” ‘Smooshing’ being the technical term for heeling the new hedgerow trees in.

Once the site of an open cast coalmine and then neglected arable grassland, Cutacre nature reserve is being restored to a haven for wildlife. Birds such as willow warbler, grasshopper warbler and even grey partridge frequent the site, along with lapwings, oystercatchers and redshanks who all breed in the rejuvenated grassland areas.

The new areas of hedgerow will provide vital habitat for ever more species including small mammals, amphibians and invertebrates. They will also help to create a natural barrier (along with our No Fence collars) for our lovely herd of longhorn cattle who graze the site in spring and summer to help promote the natural regeneration of the grassland and the establishment of native wildflower species.