23rd March 2026

• The Duchy of Cornwall and Moor Trees, along with local Scouts and volunteers, have planted a new hedgerow in Princetown, Dartmoor, to support nature recovery
• The project, which took place over three days and finished on 21st March, has seen 2,400 hedging plants established along a 500m historic hedge bank at Jubilee Field
• The Duchy has committed over £10,000 to the project, supporting plastic free planting, community volunteer days and habitat restoration.

The Duchy of Cornwall has partnered with environmental charity Moor Trees to deliver a new hedgerow planting project at Jubilee Field in Princetown, Dartmoor, bringing together volunteers from the local community to support nature recovery.
Around 2,400 hedging plants have been planted along an existing 500-metre hedge bank forming two sides of the field. Aiming to boost wildlife and strengthen the ecological value of the site over time, the work took place across three volunteer days and completed on 21st March, with support from the local volunteers, including the 1st Plympton Scout Group.

Jubilee Field is popular with the local community for recreation and had shown signs of reversion to lowland meadow habitat, with species such as black knapweed, ox-eye daisy and orchids already present. Lowland meadow has declined by more than 97% over the last 100 years1, while the UK has lost around half of its hedgerow over the last 75 years2. By creating new hedgerow and improving meadow management, the project aims to help reverse some of that loss at a local level.

The project, funded in part by a £10,000 donation from the Duchy of Cornwall, has included a mix of hedgerow species planted and carefully selected to provide benefits for wildlife across as much of the year as possible. Traditional hedge species including Hawthorn and Blackthorn are being planted alongside Alder Buckthorn, Spindle and Crab Apple, helping to provide pollen, shelter and berries throughout all seasons.

The planting was completely plastic-free. Instead of conventional plastic materials, biodegradable guards, stakes and ties were used, which will break down naturally over time and avoid long-term environmental impacts.

“The Duchy is committed to supporting nature recovery across its communities. We are delighted to have partnered with Moor Trees and local volunteers to get trees in the ground at Jubilee Field. By restoring hedgerows we are supporting biodiversity, helping people connect with nature, and creating habitat that will benefit both people and wildlife for years to come.”

"We’re incredibly grateful to the 1st Plympton Scouts, their families and our other volunteers for their time and energy planting trees with Moor Trees and the Duchy of Cornwall. The Jubilee Field hedgerow will benefit both the local community and help to restore nature on Dartmoor. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the Scouts to learn about our native tree species and new skills in creating a healthy hedgerow. The enthusiasm and action of these young people strengthens the community both living and spending time on the moors and helps us to breathe more life back into Dartmoor by planting native trees grown in our Community Tree Nurseries.”

“I was really pleased to join member of the 1st Plympton Scout Group as they planted 500 trees to mark the 50th anniversary of their Plympton base, Cottles Lodge. The group was invited by the Duchy of Cornwall to join in the initiative on Dartmoor and it was fun to pop along to help. “Projects like this show the difference a community can make when we work together, and it was great to be part of such a hands-on celebration of both our Scouts and the beautiful countryside we’re lucky to call home.”

“1st Plympton Scouts are celebrating 50 years of the building of our Scout hut. The chance to take our young people out on to the Moors, help the environment and hopefully leave a legacy that will last another 500 years was too good to turn down. The Scouts thoroughly enjoy the time outside and adding to a landscape we use regularly is so rewarding and it is great to be able to give them these unique experiences.”