Enhancing the hedgerow at Eden

Carrick Council is organising the event as part of the Hedgerow Hopes Initiative, which is a Heritage Lottery-funded project.

In a statement the local authority explained: “Species-rich hedgerows are important to us as well as to our wildlife. They are of historical importance often marking townland or estate boundaries. They also provide colour, shelter and food; act as stock barriers; and prevent soil erosion.

“Unfortunately, many of our native hedgerows have lost a lot of these values due to neglect or mismanagement. So, we’ve teamed up with Antrim, Belfast and Newtownabbey councils to restore and enhance the hedgerows in these areas.

“You can play your part too. We want people to get involved to help restore and manage the habitats. We’ll provide you with training to help you develop skills required to support the restoration programme. Over the next two years we will be running foraging events and training workshops in autumn and winter.”

Participants can meet at the car park area at Eden allotment gardens.