Rewilding: Hedge highways and restored woodlands aim to boost hazel dormouse populations in Yorkshire Dales

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A six-mile stretch of hedgerows and woods in the Yorkshire Dales have been improved and connected in an effort to create better habitat for the UK’s endangered hazel dormouse. Hazel dormice were once widespread throughout woodlands across the UK, but over the last 100 years have seriously declined and became locally extinct in Yorkshire until reintroduction programmes in the early 21st century. “School children at Bainbridge studied them during lockdown, so they’ll know that the dormice are about to wake up from their winter torpor, while local landowners – particularly Stuart Raw at Hollins Farm and Tom Orde-Powlett of the Bolton Estate – have enthusiastically supported the work.” Over three years more than 12 kilometres of existing hedgerow was surveyed, with a quarter of it brought into more appropriate management. “To put it into good management, we’ve secured all the boundaries and added tree stock, going heavy on the hazel, the primary tree the dormice would use, as well as rowan, hawthorn, blackthorn and holly – and dog rose, bramble and honeysuckle to get a longer fruiting period – giving dormice access to berries and nuts.” He added: “These small woodlands are stepping stones for the dormice as they go down the dale.” Funding for the project was provided by People’s Trust for Endangered Species, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and the Woodland Trust, as well as the National Park Authority.