The 2021 Devon Hedge Award has just been launched and this year’s theme focuses on hedges that are well managed for berries, flowers, fruits and nuts.
The Devon Hedge Award is about saying thank you to people who are working hard to create wildlife rich hedges within Devon’s countryside and gardens. With careful management hedges can produce lots of wild food for birds and small mammals and blossom for pollinators.
Dr Rob Wolton, Chair of Devon Hedge Group, explains,
‘We are very excited to announce that this year the ‘Devon Hedge Award’ will be themed around hedges with flowers, fruit and nuts. Hedges support a wealth of wildlife, even more so when they are bursting with blossom in the spring and a bountiful crop of berries and nuts throughout the autumn and winter’
To enter for an award, there is a simple online form on the Devon Hedge Group website. Everyone who meets the award criteria will be sent an award plaque and certificate. The Devon Hedge Group will also be looking out for a special commendation, which they will hope to publicise and further promote the importance of Devon’s hedges.
Schools, community groups, farmers and landowners can apply for the award. The closing dates for entries is 31st December 2021.
Rob continues,
“Devon’s hedges are of international importance as a historical, cultural, wildlife and landscape resource. We really hope as many people as possible get involved and apply for their award. If the award scheme goes a small way to instilling a sense of pride in our hedges and all the benefits they provide then I will be a happy man.”
For anyone thinking about how to increase the amount of nuts, flowers and berries in their hedges, there is a wealth of information about managing Devon hedges on the Hedge Group website, https://devonhedges.org/
The Devon Hedge Award started last year, in order to recognise the care that goes into looking after Devon’s world class hedges. Last year’s theme was ‘new hedges’ and many awards were sent out to people across the county who had created new Devon hedges for the benefit of wildlife, agriculture and the landscape.
Making an application
- Find out more and make an award application here – applications close on 31 December 2021.
- Devon Hedge Group is a voluntary group and the longest running local hedge group in the UK, having been formed in 1994 by Dr Rob Wolton and a group of professionals passionate about conserving Devon’s incredibly rich hedge heritage.
