Scrubland and Hedgerows
Scrubland Superheroes
Scrubland Superheroes is a nature recovery project led by the Knepp Wildland Foundation and funded by Natural England. Its mission is to restore and create scrubland habitats across Sussex, working closely with landowners and partners within the Weald to Waves corridor. This project champions scrub, a vital but often overlooked habitat, essential for wildlife recovery and the creation of a resilient, connected landscape.
Scrubland, a mosaic of dense shrubs, young trees, and open areas, provides food, shelter, and breeding sites for many species, including threatened birds like the turtle dove, nightingale, and red-backed shrike. By acting as a transition between grassland and woodland, scrub connects habitats, supports species movement, and strengthens climate resilience.
Through restoration efforts, advice, workshops, and practical support, Scrubland Superheroes is bringing this wildlife-rich habitat back to life across Sussex.
Project Aims
Restore and create scrubland habitats across the Weald to Waves corridor to boost biodiversity.
Connect landscapes by creating natural corridors between grassland and woodland.
Support landowners through advice, workshops, and practical tools for habitat management.
Carry out baseline habitat and species surveys to inform effective management and restoration.
The Numbers
Latest Stats
Scrubland Enclosures Built
Ponds and Scrapes Dug
Nectar Enclosures Built
Metres of Hedgerow Planted
Tree Whips Planted
Wildflower Plant Plugs Planted
Upcoming Project
Wildwood hedgerows
The wildwood hedgerows of Sussex are more than field boundaries, they are ancient ecological arteries, threading life and connectivity through the countryside. With their layered structure, long continuity, and remarkable biodiversity, hedgerows are both living history and vital wildlife habitat.
The Weald to Waves team is now developing a hedgerow mapping, management and creation project to revive and reconnect these natural corridors across the landscape. By enhancing hedgerows, we can support species movement, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and restore landscape-scale connectivity.
More details coming soon, watch this space!
Collaborative Effort
The success of these projects has been thanks to our amazing partners, who have contributed their expertise and resources to the scheme. Without them, nature recovery on a landscape scale would not be possible.
