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Advice and grant aid for hedge management and planting

Distant view of Cuilcagh Mountain, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

Advice is available from these sources

Farmers: Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group will be able to give site specific advice. Advice may also be available from your local authority. Some countryside areas may be in a Countryside Management Project and additional help is often available through these projects. ADAS and the Scottish Agricultural College also provide advice and literature. Check the business numbers in your local Telephone Directory.

Non-farmers (for gardens and paddocks): Contact your County or Scottish Wildlife Trust, or your local authority. Check your Telephone Directory.

Grants for planting and restoration

England
The Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) offers voluntary 10-year agreements for managing and restoring farmland habitats including hedgerows. CSS is administered by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). DEFRA also provides funding for hedgerows and other field boundaries within Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs). Ring their helpline 08459 335577 for more information.
Your local authority may offer grants for hedge planting or management.
The Governments statutory nature conservation agency for England, English Nature, grant-aids projects where hedges are within sites of high conservation importance.

Wales
Tir Gofal offers voluntary 10-year agreements for managing and restoring hedgerows. Tir Gofal is administered by the Governments statutory nature conservation agency for Wales, The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW).

Scotland
The Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) provides funding for hedgerow management under the Rural Stewardship Scheme.
Scottish Natural Heritage offers grants for general conservation projects.

Northern Ireland
The Countryside Management Scheme offers voluntary 10-year agreements for managing and restoring hedgerows. Grants are also available under the ESA Scheme. Both schemes are administered by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland. Contact your local County Agricultural Development Officer.