Hedgerows: New Good Practice Guidance for Ecological Restoration
Written by Kat Stanhope CEnv FCIEEM, member of CIEEM’s Ecological Restoration Special Interest Group.
Well designed hedgerow restoration can transform landscapes for wildlife — but only if it is grounded in sound ecological principles and long‑term management.
CIEEM has now published the Hedgerows section as part of a growing suite of guidance. The section provides practical, evidence‑based advice to support high‑quality hedgerow restoration, creation and long‑term management.
Hedgerows are vital for biodiversity, landscape connectivity and the delivery of ecosystem services. However, many are in poor condition due to historic loss, fragmentation and inappropriate management. This new guidance supports practitioners in delivering restoration that is ecologically robust and context appropriate.
Laid hedges at a Leamington nature reserve; Kat Stanhope.
What is covered
The Hedgerows section includes guidance on:
- Understanding hedgerows as ecological habitats
- Assessment and baseline surveys
- Restoration and creation techniques
- Long‑term management requirements
- Monitoring and adaptive management
- Common risks and how to avoid them
By promoting consistent, high‑quality approaches, the guidance aims to ensure hedgerow interventions deliver meaningful, lasting benefits for biodiversity.
A resource for practitioners
CIEEM’s Ecological Restoration Special Interest Group has been leading the development of the Good Practice Guidance for Ecological Restoration, first introduced in our earlier blog.
Designed for ecologists, land managers, planners and decision‑makers, the Hedgerows section forms part of CIEEM’s wider programme of habitat specific guidance supporting improved restoration outcomes across the UK and Ireland.
We hope the guidance provides useful prompts. We welcome feedback to help us update and improve the guidance over time. Please contact the Working Group via the Ecological Restoration SIG at er@cieem.net.