Hedgerows across South Dublin are vitally important. They are home to a huge variety of native biodiversity, doubling as refuges and sources of food. As a climate action, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, one of the key greenhouse gases. They also provide amenity value as attractive green spaces, while adding to the County’s flood resilience.

Hedgerows in South Dublin are managed through various Council strategies. The Green Infrastructure Strategy is a key nature-based plan that will inform the Council’s County Development Plan 2022-2028 and will include canopy level tree and hedgerow mapping.

The Council’s Tree Policy ‘Living with Trees’ identifies the mapping of hedgerows in public areas as an action, while the Biodiversity Action Plan prioritises the mapping of the County's hedgerow network and identifying the key Green Infrastructure links, which would help to protect them as important habitats.

A pilot hedgerow survey in Tymon Park has been carried out, with a further one in Corkagh Park planned for later in 2022. The data gathered will help establish recommendations for the appropriate management of the County’s hedgerows into the future.