VOLUNTEERS are being sought for a new initiative to boost the threatened hazel dormouse population in the county.

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As part of the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) Hedgerows for Dormice campaign, a one-day workshop is being held at Wheathampstead Memorial Hall on Monday, August 9.

The project aims to improve the habitats for a range of woodland scrub species that depend on hedgerow including not only the critically-endangered hazel dormouse but also other species such as the hedgehog, harvest mouse, polecat and birds and insects.

The workshop, which is free, will teach volunteers how to survey and map the presence, quality and health of hedgerows. By the end of the session, they should be able to assist with the mapping of hedgerows around two hotspots in the county – east of Stevenage and between Hemel Hempstead and Luton to the north west.

Jim Jones, a project officer at PTES, said: “These surveys in dormice hotspots are an important first step in identifying and assessing hedgerows that link known dormice populations in order for us to deliver management advice and engage in practical action to improve their condition.”

The workshop will run from 10am to 4pm and to book a place contact Jim at 0207 498 4533 or email jim@ptes.org