What is a shelter belt? How the CRT is using them to protect dormice.

For this year’s Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) Christmas appeal, we’re raising vital funds to help protect one of Britain’s most charming but vulnerable mammals, the hazel dormouse. 

Our aim is to raise £6,000 to support essential habitat restoration and install footprint tunnels across six CRT farms in Herefordshire, Surrey and Dorset. These improvements will help us detect, protect and support dormice populations before it’s too late. 

At Turnastone Court Farm in Herefordshire, funds raised will contribute to a new wildlife corridor, or shelter belt, connecting two areas of woodland. This allows dormice to travel safely between habitats as well as expand their existing one, giving them access to more habitat, which will help sustain their population. 

This will also support our nature-friendly farming aims as the shelter belt will provide wind protection in the winter to livestock and shelter and shade in the summer. 

But what is a shelter belt? 
 
Ruth Moss, our conservation officer, said shelter belts are generally made of trees and shrubs designed to protect livestock and crops from harsh weather. These living barriers are planted in staggered rows, combining different species and heights of trees to create a layered buffer against the elements. 

“Funds will contribute towards enhancing existing habitat by widely fencing either side of a tree line which joins up two woodlands. This will encourage natural regeneration of an understory to, what will result as, a woodland corridor. This woodland corridor will double up as a shelter belt for livestock, with access points installed within the fencing.   

“We may also look to plant some other locally sourced tree and shrub species to make sure there’s a variety if the natural regenerative doesn’t result in a diverse enough habitat.  

“This will form a woodland corridor habitat for dormice to utilise and move between woodland patches. We know they are present on the farm and want to help them connect to other areas. The improved habitat will also benefit birds, bats, hedgehogs and other wildlife, creating a healthier, more connected landscape.” 

How does a shelter belt help livestock too? 

The fenced areas will include gates so livestock can access them during the summer for shade and in winter for shelter from the wind.  

This contributes to one of the five freedoms of animal welfare ‘freedom from discomfort,’ providing areas of shade and shelter during adverse weather scenarios which are becoming more frequent.  

Tree shelter belts help increase water infiltration in the soil, which helps areas known to be wet. This benefits livestock as the ground is less damp, for example, this can reduce the risk of lameness in sheep.  

Donate here: www.thecrt.co.uk/dormice-appeal 

Published: December, 2025