At The Hayes, we have taken a significant step forward in caring for our beautiful Derbyshire surroundings, with the planting of more than 13,000 trees and hedgerow plants around the site.
Working with Derbyshire County Council, who have funded the project, and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, who carried out the planting, we have now completed the first major stage of a long-term environmental project designed to support wildlife, improve biodiversity, and care responsibly for the land around the venue.
In total, 13,148 trees and hedgerow plants have been planted, with new fencing added to protect the young growth from grazing animals. The planting covers around four hectares of land and includes a mixture of hedgerow, restored hedgerow, small woodland areas, mixed tree planting, and areas set aside for natural regeneration.
A map of the plan put in place.
A long-term commitment to the land
Although the main planting work has now been completed, this is not a one-off project. It is part of a 15-year plan to help the new trees and hedgerows become properly established.
An area fenced off to protect the growth of the tree and hedgerow saplings.
In the first few years, our focus will be on mowing, weed control, and replacing any plants that don’t survive. Later, the work will move into general maintenance, including looking after fencing and eventually managing the hedgerows as they mature.
Louis, our grounds keeper at The Hayes, explained that young trees often spend their first few years establishing strong roots before visible growth really begins.
“Once the roots get established, they get into the soil and then they rocket up,” he said.
Creating new habitats for wildlife
Our long-term hope is that this planting will create more shelter, food, and nesting space for wildlife across the land.
Much of the project helps form a wildlife corridor across the land surrounding The Hayes, connecting different areas of habitat and making it easier for birds, mammals and insects to move through the landscape.
A section of new saplings spanning far into the distance.
“It should be pretty massive in the long run,” Louis said. “If everything establishes and survives well, it’ll provide new homes for wildlife over a large area.”
This is especially important because farmland used for grazing can offer limited shelter for wildlife. By restoring hedgerows and creating new wooded areas, we are helping to provide places where insects can feed, birds can forage, and animals can take cover.
The planting should also help with water management over time, as trees and hedgerows can take up excess water and help the land cope better during wetter seasons.
Wildlife already calling The Hayes home
We are already blessed to share The Hayes with a remarkable variety of wildlife. Sightings recorded on site include grass snakes, smooth newts, common frogs, common toads, water voles, pipistrelle bats, barbastelle bats, badgers, and hares.
Grass snakes spotted at The Hayes. Photo taken by Louis.
A Smooth Newt spotted at The Hayes. Photo taken by Louis.
The birdlife is also rich, with kingfishers, buzzards, kestrels, woodpeckers, ravens, sparrowhawks, lapwings, and nuthatches all recorded. Louis also mentioned yellowhammers in the farmland hedgerows, a red-listed species that makes the protection and restoration of these habitats even more meaningful.
Smaller species are playing their part too. We have seen a wide variety of butterflies, moths, bees, dragonflies, and beetles, including elephant hawk moths, garden tiger moths, southern hawkers, honey bees, red-tailed bumblebees, and wasp beetles.
A Leopard Moth spotted at The Hayes. Photo taken by Louis.
Caring for creation at The Hayes
For guests visiting The Hayes, some of this work may be seen from the public footpaths and fields around the site. Other parts sit quietly in the wider landscape, gradually growing and strengthening year by year.
Many of our guests come to The Hayes for rest, teaching, worship, and time away from everyday life. The beauty of the grounds has always been part of that experience. This project helps ensure that the land is not only enjoyed today, but also cared for and strengthened for the future.
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