Join hedge planting day at High Borrowdale

Landscape charity Friends of the Lake District has put out a call for volunteers for a hedge planting day on its land at High Borrowdale.

High Borrowdale is situated in an area once described by Wainwright as “the most beautiful valley outside the Lake District” and is now incorporated into the Lake District following the national park extension in 2016.

The charity is asking for volunteers to plant new hedging on the site on February 9 to create new habitat for wildlife, connectivity between different habitats; the new hedge will run parallel with an upland hay meadow already providing a rich habitat for insects and bees.

The volunteering effort will help complement work already carried out on the site as it is transformed into a landscape haven for wildlife and people. Over 10,000 native trees – ash, oak, rowan, holly, hawthorn, alder and willow have already been planted; enhancing the habitat and landscape and helping to stabilise soil and reduce erosion in the area.

Jan Darrall, property manager said: “The amazing results that we have achieved so far are all down to the generosity and hard work of our brilliant volunteers. It will be the first hedging that we’ve added to the site and we need lots of hands-on deck to help us with the task. We can guarantee volunteers a warm welcome, fresh air and an opportunity to help the environment.

“We must also thank the Lake District National Park Authority for part funding this work via a farming in protected landscapes grant”.

The charity has a busy schedule of volunteer events in 2022 providing a range of activities to take part in at High Borrowdale and other properties across the county.

All of its workparty dates for 2022 and booking facilities for the hedge planting day are available at www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk