Changing Chalk project leaves a huge legacy in South Downs

It’s known as Europe’s rainforest in miniature as just a single square metre can be a haven for over 40 different species of wildflowers and more than 20 varieties of butterflies.

Now a partnership that was created to protect precious chalk grassland has come to the end of a four-year run – and left lasting change for the better.

“Changing Chalk” began in 2022 and since then more than 650 hectares of chalk grassland has been restored or improved to help wildlife.

More than 30,000 hours of volunteer work has gone into helping nature havens across the eastern South Downs.

Among the highlights has been creating 50 hectares of wildflower habitat at Gayles Farm near Seaford, transforming previously cultivated land.

The programme also restored seven dew ponds and helped to protect the endangered Wart-biter bush-cricket. A total of 32 of the crickets were moved to a new site to help establish a new population in Sussex.

The programme was led by the National Trust and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with the National Park Authority as one of the key partners.

“Changing Chalk shows what’s possible when organisations, communities and funders work together at a landscape scale,” said Richard Henderson, Chair of the Project Board at the National Trust. “The programme has delivered real benefits for nature and for people. We hope its legacy will continue for years to come, with communities continuing to enjoy, care for and feel connected to the South Downs.”

As well as nature, the project has helped to connect communities with the amazing heritage on their doorsteps. Initiatives such as The Big Dig and Monument Mentors enabled local people to uncover and protect the stories beneath their feet, while projects including Writing Our Legacy invited people from diverse backgrounds to explore their own connections to the landscape through creative expression.