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HedgeHunters: Engaging Youth in Hedgerow Conservation
HedgeHunters: Engaging Youth in Hedgerow Conservation
The HedgeHunters project was developed as a community-driven initiative to support its big sister project Hedgerows: Mapping the Gaps, led by Josh Wolstenholme. Josh's research focuses on developing a deep learning model capable of automatically identifying hedgerows and hedgerow gaps from aerial imagery. The project aimed to identify and quantify hedgerows and their gaps within the East Riding of Yorkshire, pinpointing specific locations where restoration or planting can expedite afforestation and carbon sequestration.
The HedgeHunters project was developed as a community-driven initiative to support its big sister project Hedgerows: Mapping the Gaps, led by Josh Wolstenholme. Josh's research focuses on developing a deep learning model capable of automatically identifying hedgerows and hedgerow gaps from aerial imagery. The project aimed to identify and quantify hedgerows and their gaps within the East Riding of Yorkshire, pinpointing specific locations where restoration or planting can expedite afforestation and carbon sequestration.
The HedgeHunters project enhances this effort by fostering community engagement and pro-environmental behaviours, making the model scalable from local to national levels. Planting hedgerows benefits biodiversity, soil structure and natural flood management, contributing to a more resilient landscape.
The HedgeHunters project enhances this effort by fostering community engagement and pro-environmental behaviours, making the model scalable from local to national levels. Planting hedgerows benefits biodiversity, soil structure and natural flood management, contributing to a more resilient landscape.
Research team and partners
Research team and partners
Co-Lead Researchers: Katie Parsons & Josh Wolstenholme
Co-Lead Researchers: Katie Parsons & Josh Wolstenholme
Partners: Natural England, East Riding Voluntary Action Service, The Green Influencers (Ernest Cook Trust, iWill, Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and the Lottery Community Fund) and the Ferens Education Trust
Partners: Natural England, East Riding Voluntary Action Service, The Green Influencers (Ernest Cook Trust, iWill, Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and the Lottery Community Fund) and the Ferens Education Trust
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Working with East Riding Voluntary Action Service (ERVAS) and the Green Influencers, we co-created a youth-informed citizen science initiative that informed and refined the design and testing Hedgerows: Mapping the Gaps deep learning model. The HedgeHunters project developed an advisory board of youth climate champions, guiding every step of the project, from design and testing to communication.
Working with East Riding Voluntary Action Service (ERVAS) and the Green Influencers, we co-created a youth-informed citizen science initiative that informed and refined the design and testing Hedgerows: Mapping the Gaps deep learning model. The HedgeHunters project developed an advisory board of youth climate champions, guiding every step of the project, from design and testing to communication.
After the initial development, we distributed learning resources, activities and equipment across Hull and the East Riding, with plans for national expansion. These resources were made available to individuals, schools and community groups. The HedgeHunters developed session plans focused on
After the initial development, we distributed learning resources, activities and equipment across Hull and the East Riding, with plans for national expansion. These resources were made available to individuals, schools and community groups. The HedgeHunters developed session plans focused on
- Hedgerow Key Metrics: Measuring size, shape and density.
- Soil Analysis: Identifying soil types and conducting moisture experiments.
- Biodiversity & Habitat Surveys: Documenting species and ecological benefits.
Youth-Led Innovation
Youth-Led Innovation
Driven by their passion for hedgerow conservation, the HedgeHunters sourced their own funding through Ernest Cook Trust to create a educational materials and merchandise. They led on two key initiatives:
Driven by their passion for hedgerow conservation, the HedgeHunters sourced their own funding through Ernest Cook Trust to create a educational materials and merchandise. They led on two key initiatives:
- HedgeHunters Zine (2022): A digital and print magazine designed to educate schools and communities about the importance of hedgerows. The HedgeHunters secured £360 in funding from Ernest Cook Trust to gift a copy of the ‘zine’ to every school in Hull and East Riding, as well as a copy being available for all to access online.
- Children's Storybook - The Mystery of the Giant Claw: A youth-led project where the HedgeHunters wrote and illustrated a book, using storytelling to engage young readers in the challenges faced by animals living in hedgerows. They secured £5,000 in funding to publish and distribute the book to schools across Hull and East Riding.
Impact & Outputs
Impact & Outputs
- Community Engagement: Expanding youth participation in ecological monitoring and conservation.
- Educational Resources: Providing accessible tools for individuals and schools to engage in environmental learning.
- Scientific Contribution: Refining AI-driven models with community-gathered data to enhance environmental decision-making.
Publications
Publications
Parsons, K. J. and Wolstenholme, J. (forthcoming) HedgeHunters: How using transdisciplinary Action Based Storytelling can encourage youth environmental social action
Parsons, K. J. and Wolstenholme, J. (forthcoming) HedgeHunters: How using transdisciplinary Action Based Storytelling can encourage youth environmental social action
Wolstenholme, J. M., Cooper, F., Thomas, R. E., Ahmed, J., Parsons, K. J., and Parsons, D. R. (In press) Automated identification of hedgerows and hedgerow gaps using deep learning. Remote sensing in Ecology and Conservation.
Wolstenholme, J. M., Cooper, F., Thomas, R. E., Ahmed, J., Parsons, K. J., and Parsons, D. R. (In press) Automated identification of hedgerows and hedgerow gaps using deep learning. Remote sensing in Ecology and Conservation.
Parsons, K., J., and Wolstenholme, J. (In press) Celebrating the unsung heroes: What young people, hedgerows, and playfulness have in common with the climate crisis discourse? Children's Geographies
Parsons, K., J., and Wolstenholme, J. (In press) Celebrating the unsung heroes: What young people, hedgerows, and playfulness have in common with the climate crisis discourse? Children's Geographies
Parsons, K. J., Andrew, P., and The HedgeHunter Team (2023) The Mystery of the Giant Claw. Fantastic Books Publishing.
Parsons, K. J., Andrew, P., and The HedgeHunter Team (2023) The Mystery of the Giant Claw. Fantastic Books Publishing.
Media Coverage:
Media Coverage:
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