Changing Chalk - Restoring Chalkland Biodiversity

Chalk grassland flowers at Saddlescombe Farm | © Natalie Barb

Chalk grassland is one of the wonders of the chalk downland landscape. It is species rich and of high wildlife value. As a priority habitat it survives on the margins; many of the best sites are small and fragmented which threatens the existence of the plants and animals that depend on it for their survival.

Projects under this theme addressed the main risks to the future of the chalk grassland: the lack of appropriate management; the need to restore and reconnect sites and create wildlife corridors between them; and the need to develop resilience to the direct impacts of climate change. These projects aimed to restore and reconnect the most vulnerable chalk grassland sites, bringing 630 hectares of chalk grassland into improved management for wildlife, and restoring a further 185 hectares.

Working with landowners and the farming community was key to achieving our aims. The Changing Chalk partners worked together with local farmers to support knowledge exchange between the farming and nature conservation communities. This encouraged local farmers and landowners to become actively involved with our vision for a sustainable Downs. The Changing Chalk project created new wildlife corridors that now contribute to the wider nature recovery network on the Downs.

The view from Devil’s Dyke, South Downs, Sussex — Take in the views from Devil’s Dyke | © National Trust Images/John Miller

The Grazing Project

Lead Partner - The South Downs National Park Authority

The fragile chalk grassland relies on the land being grazed in the right way, whether by sheep, cattle, ponies or even rabbits.

The South Downs National Park Authority's grazing project supported the development of conservation grazing across wider areas of the South Downs. To secure a long-term future for this project, part of the work was to establish conservation grazing as part of an economically- viable farming system. At the moment, we are creating geographical areas as grazing "hubs" and bringing ponies on to the land, principally for winter conservation grazing. We are gathering the results of this grazing by surveying the land over time to inform future ways to manage the land sustainably.

For more information or to get involved please contact Cath.Jackson@Southdowns.gov.uk

You can find out more about the South Downs National Park conservation grazing activities here

Sheep grazing and view to the coast from the Slindon Estate, South Downs, West Sussex — Sheep grazing on the South Downs | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Wilding Waterhall

Lead partner - Brighton & Hove City Council

Waterhall was a golf course on the outskirts of Brighton. In 2020, the golf course was changed to a nature reserve to restore the species-rich Downland.

This change of habitat and the new nature reserve should benefit local wildlife and also provide a great opportunity for the local community to learn more about the countryside and downlands on their doorstep, and to raise awareness of the biodiversity crisis.

As well as their own conservation work, the local rangers are running a series of workshops, walks, talks and volunteering sessions on the renatured golf course throughout the year.

More information is avaiable here or to get involved please email WildingWaterhall@brighton-hove.gov.uk

A close-up of a large, furry bee is sitting on some white flowers, possibly cow parsley, — Bees are important pollinators | © National Trust Images/Nick Upton

Landscapes for Wild Pollinators (incorporating Sustainable Vines)

Lead partner – Buglife

This project explored ways to improve the chalk landscape for our declining insect pollinators, particularly looking at managing wildflower habitats across the landscape. By working with farmers, landowners and local community groups, the project links the best remaining habitats together through new or restored wildflower stepping-stones, so pollinators can move freely across the South Downs area.

Buglife are also working with some Sussex vineyards to see how they can help our wild insect pollinators. As part of this project, running pollinator workshops and carrying out wildflower seed trials with students studying wine and vineyard management.

More information is available here or to get involved please email alice.parfitt@buglife.org.uk

hands holding a small newt — Wildlife from a dew pond in the South Downs | © National Trust/Josie Jeffery

Reconnecting Dew Ponds

Lead partner - South Downs National Park Authority

Dew ponds are an integral part of the South Downs. In the past, farmers would dig these ponds as watering holes for their animals grazing the ridges of the Downs. The ponds would also support a wide range of wildlife, including many birds and insects. However, over the years, due to changes in farming practices, many of the ponds are in disrepair or have been completely lost.

This project has restored seven historic dewponds close to the South Downs Way National Trail. As well has helping to improve ecological connectivity and support wider habitats, this project involved the local community who found out more about the importance of dew ponds to the chalk grasslands of the South Downs.

You can find out more information on the work the South Downs National Park are doing here, or to get involved e mail jan.knowlson@southdowns.gov.uk

The rare Wart-Biter Bush-cricket - more easily heard than seen | © Steven Falk, Buglife

Wart-biter Species Recovery

Lead partner – Buglife

The Wart-biter Bush-cricket is one of Britain’s rarest chalk grassland insects, surviving on just six sites nationwide, four within the Changing Chalk project area. Buglife has worked with farmers to improve habitat for Wart-biters, and trained volunteers to survey and monitor the remaining populations. Major milestones came in the project’s final year, when 32 Wart-biters were successfully relocated to a new site with the aim of establishing a new population - a vital step in securing their long- term future

More information from Buglife is here or to get involved please email alice.parfitt@buglife.org.uk

Southwick Hill on the South Downs before scrub clearance work by volunteers and rangers — Southwick Hill on the South Downs before scrub clearance work | © National Trust/ Kim Greaves

Scrub clearance research project

Lead partner - Natural England, with support from The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

One of the dangers faced by chalk grassland is unchecked encroaching scrub. This scientific study lnvestigated the most effective ways to clear scrub and restore chalk grassland.

Having cleared the scrub at key sites, the team tested different seed mixes to see which are most successful for the reintroduction of chalk grassland species.

For more information or to get involved please email Carole.Mortimer@naturalengland.org.uk or t.chapman@kew.org

Wild meadow flowers with orchids growing on South Downs, Sussex — A wildflower meadow with pyramidal orchids on the South Downs | © South Downs National Park/ Charlie Hellewell

Changing Chalk Local Wildlife Sites

Lead partner - Sussex Wildlife Trust

In this project we are surveyed 30 Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) that contain a chalk grassland component. This involved contacting landowners and arranging surveys to establish the health of any chalk grassland that is there. We then offered advice and information about how to best care for and manage the land, with the help of other Changing Chalk partners such as Buglife, and our Chalk Life Rangers.

For more information or to get involved please email lws-sussex@sussexwt.org.uk

Download our Changing Chalk map here to explore the areas of Chalk Grassland on the South Downs.