A new interactive microsite has been launched to help school children understand the importance of hedgerows as a vital habitat for wildlife – fifty years after farmers began grubbing out thousands of miles of hedges to qualify for Government grants.

These grants, provided by the former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, were designed to create bigger fields in which farmers could use bigger, more modern agricultural machines – but it created one of the greatest disasters for wildlife in British history.

A new interactive microsite to teach children about the importance of hedgerows was launched at the weekend by Hedgelink UK on their website, funded by Defra, Natural England and the National Hedgelaying Society.

Said Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England: “Hedgerows are an essential feature of our countryside and contain an amazing range of wildlife. The new learning pack is a great way for children to go on their own voyage of discovery and find out more about why our hedgerows are so important for wildlife and why it is so important to look after them”.

Details of the new mini-site and its interactive games can be found at http://www.hedgelink.org.uk/