Mountain bikers helping to make space for nature

17th March 2023

This tree planting season, Surrey Hills Society have engaged hundreds of fantastic volunteers in their efforts to support landowners and farmers in creating new habitat for species that call the Surrey Hills home. Their most recent conservation volunteers have been a group of mountain bikers who planted over 2,000 native hedge plants in a day’s work at Coverwood Farm, in the heart of the Surrey Hills. These hedgerow plants were funded through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme (FiPL), one of many hedge planting schemes funded by FiPL in the Surrey Hills.

Tim Metson, Coverwood Farm Partner said “A huge thank you to the mountain biking community for planting this new hedgerow, which will create wildlife corridors for species such as the dormouse. I look forward to undertaking more conservation activities on the farm with members of the mountain biking community.”

Local mountain biker, Matt Morris comments “We all love the Surrey Hills and this was a great opportunity for us to do our bit for nature and help our landowners and farmers conserve the area.”

Gordon Jackson, Chair of the Surrey Hills Society said “I am delighted for the Society to be supporting local landowners and farmers with their nature recovery goals. The planting of hedgerow at Coverwood Farm with local mountain bikers is just the start of our collaboration with this enthusiastic group of Conservation Volunteers.”

Mountain bikers planting trees Surrey Hills Society and mountain bikers planting trees

Mountain bikers with the trees they have planted at Coverwood farm