PUPILS from Monmouth have been learning about the importance of hedgerows, thanks to a community hedgerow project funded by Welsh Government's Nature Fund.

The special 'Long Forest' workshop gave pupils the chance to explore the species-rich world of hedgerows. It was one of many activities at the We Count for Wildlife event, which took place a couple of weeks ago at Drybridge Nature Park and Vauxhall Fields, organised by Monmouthshire Environment Partnership Board, Monmouthshire County Council, Gwent Wildlife Trust, Wye Valley AONB, and Friends of Vauxhall Meadow.

A total of 150 pupils from Overmonnow Primary School took part in Keep Wales Tidy's Long Forest workshop, where they were tasked with identifying native trees, flowers and animals. 

The Long Forest initiative is a community engagement project run by Keep Wales Tidy in partnership with the Woodland Trust and the University of South Wales.  Over the last six months it has been funded by the Welsh Government's Nature Fund.

Hedgerows are an important landscape feature and wildlife habitat in Wales. However, they are often at risk from neglect, damage or destruction.

The Long Forest initiative encourages local groups, landowners, schools and businesses to become more actively involved and informed in the management of hedgerows, woodland and ancient trees through practical demonstrations, hedgerow surveys and expert training.

The Long Forest is one of twenty projects to have received support from Welsh Government's Nature Fund – part of a wider approach in moving towards the integrated management of natural resources in Wales. The Nature Fund encourages collaboration and understanding of local challenges in order to tackle issues in a way that is best for communities in Wales. 

Thomas Ward-Jackson, project officer for Keep Wales Tidy, said: "I'm delighted that our Long Forest workshop has been a hit with teachers and pupils. Through fun, practical activities, the children have had the chance to see for themselves why hedges need to be protected and cared for.

"We Count in Wildlife is a fantastic event and I'd like to thank the organisers for inviting Keep Wales Tidy to be part of it."

For more information about this project please contact Thomas Ward-Jackson on 07766 754894 or email thomas.ward-jack

son@keepwalestidy.

org