Forget the flowers and chocolates—this February, young people in Kent are showing their love for the planet by getting their hands dirty. On Saturday, 21st February, 25 young volunteers will gather on Kentish farmland to celebrate “Hedgentines Day,” a unique event dedicated to restoring one of the UK’s most iconic and vital natural features: the humble hedgerow.
A Love Letter to Nature
Organized by Youngwilders in partnership with the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), Hedgentines Day is designed to empower a new generation of environmental stewards. While 60 volunteers will be active across Cheshire and Hampshire, Kent is at the heart of the action, with its own dedicated team of 18-30-year-olds ready to plant their share of over 2,000 saplings.
This event isn’t just about digging holes; it’s about creating “biodiversity banks.” Hedgerows act as:
- Nature’s Superhighways: Providing safe passage and habitats for local wildlife.
- Climate Warriors: Storing carbon and preventing soil erosion.
- Agricultural Assets: Protecting crops and enhancing the beauty of the rural landscape.
“Hedges are a deep part of our cultural heritage,” says Jack Durant, co-director of Youngwilders. “We now see the impact of their removal; all that’s left is to bring them back!”
Breaking Down Barriers
Youngwilders is on a mission to make the countryside accessible to everyone. To ensure no one is left out, the organizers are removing the usual hurdles. Attendees can benefit from:
- Carpooling from local train stations.
- Reimbursement for train or bus tickets.
- Hands-on training through CPRE’s Hedgerow Heroes project.
Roger Mortlock, chief executive of CPRE, emphasizes that the project is all about “practising what we preach.” By partnering with Youngwilders, CPRE is tapping into the passion of young people who want to protect the nature on their own doorstep.
The Big Picture
The Kent planting is a key milestone in the fifth year of CPRE’s Hedgerow Heroes project, which aims to restore 27 miles of hedgerow across the country. For the young volunteers involved, it’s a chance to turn “eco-anxiety” into “eco-action,” building a greener future one sapling at a time.