All posts by jefftravis

Nature success story as volunteers strive to protect nature reserve in South Downs

October 13th, 2023

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Benfield Hill being designated Hove’s first and oldest Local Nature Reserve. Widely recognised as a ‘hidden gem’ in the National Park, it is one of the richest surviving remnants of old chalk grassland in the area. To mark the milestone, the Benfield Wildlife and Conservation Group, which protects […]

Providing a local solution to sustainable meat production in the South Downs

October 12th, 2023

Laura Hockenhull is a development officer for Sussex Grazed, a new scheme launched by Brighton & Hove Food Partnership that is seeking to increase sustainability from the farm to the plate. She introduces the initiative and shares how you can get involved. The great Rudyard Kipling wrote: “The Downs are sheep, the Weald is corn, […]

Brighton golf course is above par for wildlife

October 12th, 2023

Pyecombe Golf Club, which is set within the undulating landscape of the South Downs National Park, is one of the best courses in the UK for butterflies and chalk grassland flowers, new research has found. Consultant ecologist Neil Hulme performed three detailed surveys of the course and found an impressive total of 34 species of […]

South Downs National Park responds to State of Nature report with a strong call to action

September 29th, 2023

“We need more nature everywhere for everyone.” That’s the call to action from the South Downs National Park Authority as it responds to the latest State of Nature report, which lays bare the full extent of the biodiversity crisis. The leading scientific report, based on analysis from 60 organisations, shows that one in six species […]

Exciting grants initiative launched for green projects in Ouse Valley

September 29th, 2023

Grants of up to £5,000 for climate action, biodiversity restoration and sustainability are up for grabs as part of a new scheme in the Ouse Valley. A pot of around £90,000 is being made available over a three-year period to help kickstart a wave of projects that help the environment and reduce carbon footprint across […]