VOLUNTEERS are needed to help boost the population of the threatened hazel dormouse in Cumbria.

The Hedgerows for Dormice campaign has been launched to improve habitats for the species as well as the hedgehog, harvest mouse, polecat, birds and insects.

Scheme organiser, The People’s Trust for Endangered Species, is holding a one-day workshop on Wednesday, June 23, from 10am to 4pm, in Colton Parish Hall where volunteers will learn how to survey and map hedgerows.

Jim Jones, of the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, which is organising the scheme, said: “These surveys in dormice hotspots are an important first step in identifying and assessing hedgerows that link dormice populations.

“Volunteer surveyors play a crucial role in helping PTES contribute to the fulfilment of targets.”

Once trained, volunteers would then help map out the hedgerow network around dormice hotspots in Colton, Satterthwaite, Haverthwaite, Lower Allithwaitre, Staveley-in-Cartmel and Egerton cum Newland parishes.

For more information, or to book a place on the course, contact Mr Jones on 0207 4984533 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Hedgerows are not only invaluable wildlife habitat but are integral to our culture, history and archaeology.

Since the Second World War there has been a drastic loss of hedgerows and a decline in numbers of species like the hazel dormouse that depend on them. Threats to hedgerows include neglect, incorrect timing of management and over trimming. This can lead to the development of gaps and loss of connectivity.

In October 2008, People’s Trust for Endangered Species was awarded a Countdown 2010 grant from Natural England for a two-and-a-half year project aimed at reconnecting isolated dormice populations by gapping-up and planting hedgerows and encouraging good practice in hedgerow management.

Hedgerows for Dormice began by mapping “hotspots” of dormouse distribution based on the database of current National Dormouse Monitoring Programme (NDMP) sites and incidental records that are held in the National Dormouse Database, both co-ordinated by PTES.

With the help of local partners such as Natural England, Wildlife Trusts and FWAGs the group will assist landowners and land managers to ensure hedgerows are managed to benefit dormice in particular, and wildlife in general.

Where necessary members will work with conservation volunteers and landowners to actively gap up or create new hedgerow habitat.

This work will directly contribute to targets in both the hazel dormouse and ancient/species-rich hedgerow BAPs.

The project aims to work alongside and help build upon the excellent work already begun in some counties, in most cases by NDMP monitors, looking at dormouse habitat connectivity and hedgerow management.

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