F is for ‘Flora and Fauna’

As we continue in our monthly A to Z blog series in celebration of CPRE’s centenary, we reflect on the many ways that we champion flora and fauna in our work – past, present and future…

Flora and fauna are the living fabric of the countryside. They are the plants, insects, birds and animals that shape our landscapes, sustain ecosystems, and give the countryside its character, resilience and sense of place. They are also among the first to show when the balance between people, land and nature begins to slip.

Championing our countryside means protecting the flora and fauna that allow it to function, flourish and recover.

In Gloucestershire, much of this natural life is supported not just by nature reserves or designated sites, but by the everyday features that weave through our towns, villages and farmland. Hedgerows, field margins, roadside verges and green spaces may seem unremarkable, yet together they form vital networks of habitat that allow wildlife to move, feed and adapt. When these connections are strong, nature can recover from pressure and change. When they are weakened or lost, plants and animals become isolated and increasingly vulnerable.

For over 100 years, CPRE has worked to protect the countryside as a living, working landscape. Founded in 1926, the charity emerged in response to growing concern about unplanned development and the gradual erosion of rural character. From the beginning, CPRE championed careful planning, long‑term stewardship and respect for nature, even before concepts such as biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation or nature recovery entered the mainstream.

Across its century of work, CPRE has consistently argued that the countryside is more than scenery. It is a shared resource that supports wildlife, climate stability, food production and human wellbeing — and one that needs thoughtful protection if it is to endure.

At CPRE Gloucestershire, that long‑standing mission continues through local action and partnership working. We are proud to be part of the Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership, collaborating with other organisations to support a coordinated approach to nature recovery across the county. By bringing a planning and countryside‑protection perspective to the table, we help ensure that decisions about development, land use and infrastructure properly consider their impact on flora and fauna.

This strategic work is complemented by practical, on‑the‑ground projects — most notably Hedgerow Heroes.

Hedgerows are among the most important habitats for flora and fauna in Gloucestershire. They support native shrubs and wildflowers, provide food and shelter for pollinators and birds, and act as wildlife corridors across farmed and developed landscapes. A healthy hedgerow can host hundreds of species, quietly underpinning biodiversity throughout the year.

Through Hedgerow Heroes, CPRE Gloucestershire works with landowners, volunteers and communities to protect existing hedgerows, promote sensitive management and encourage new planting where hedges have been lost. Well‑managed hedgerows are thicker, more diverse and more resilient — flowering and fruiting over longer periods, supporting wildlife through changing seasons, and helping landscapes adapt to climate change by storing carbon and managing water.

These small‑scale actions matter. Repeated across our countryside, they strengthen the ecological networks that flora and fauna depend on, improving nature’s ability to recover in the face of ongoing pressure.

As CPRE marks its centenary, ‘flora & fauna’ is a reminder of what it truly means to champion the countryside.