Hartpury University and Hartpury College are taking part in the Severn Treescapes project.

As part of the project, students and staff will plant a total of 5,000 hedge plants and five hectares of trees in key areas of Hartpury farmland over the next year.

The initiative is led by the wildlife trusts of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The Severn Treescapes project at Hartpury is being supported by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT), with funding from Gloucestershire County Council's Woodland Trusts Emergency Tree Fund.

The aim of the initiative is to demonstrate that increasing woodland connectivity, whether through woodlands, hedgerows, orchards, agroforestry or other tree systems, can work successfully alongside productive agricultural systems.

Working together, landowners and environmentalists can enhance wildlife habitats, improve shade and shelter and increase biodiversity as a demonstration for other landowners.

In addition, Hartpury will support landowner engagement and education at its Agri-Tech Centre and Home Farm, showcasing the benefits of such partnerships for others in the agricultural sector.

Jackie Jobes, sustainability director at Hartpury, said: "We're thrilled to be part of this transformative Severn Treescapes project, which aligns closely with our commitment to environmental stewardship. By playing a pivotal role in this initiative, Hartpury aspires to make a demonstrable impact on the local ecosystem, fostering greater biodiversity and cultivating a more resilient and sustainable natural environment for generations to come."

The tree planting will largely be carried out by Hartpury College students as part of their estate skills training, alongside campus staff and students from a range of other college and university courses.

Professor Matt Bell, director of agriculture at Hartpury, said: "Projects like these are very important to foster greater collaboration between local authorities, wildlife organisations, farmers and landowners. Through our Agri-Tech Centre and industry networks, we can help to communicate the many benefits of projects like these and hopefully encourage more landowners to follow suit.

"This initiative also provides a great opportunity for our students, who will be involved with planting the hedgerows and hedgerow trees as part of their studies, gaining valuable first-hand experience of a real-world industry partnership."

The following areas of Hartpury farmland will see hedgerow planting:

Bund surrounding dairy unit - 0.5 hectares of dense deciduous woodland in addition to 155 metres of hedgerow on the north side and 175 metres hedgerow to the west of the Livestock Handling Unit.

Cottage bank next to the dairy unit - 2.1 hectares of parkland tree species, planted as an apple, pear and plum tree orchard, which will benefit pollinators and contain a variety of species native to Gloucestershire. In addition, 120 metres of hedgerow on the west side will provide additional shade and shelter on livestock grazing land.

Dandies field - 0.25 hectares of dense deciduous woodland will fill a corner of the field and provide additional wildlife habitat.

Little Lincroft - 100 metres of new hedgerow with hedgerow trees will extend the existing hedgeline and provide additional shelter.

Carters field - 783 metres of hedgerow and deciduous trees along the old cow track will provide a shade and shelter belt on track.

Barters Hill - three hectares of parkland trees in the hay meadow area will provide winter grazing shelter and enhance the general look of an area mostly used for the annual NAF Five Star International Hartpury Horse Trials.