Enhancing your South Downs

Triumph for trees as National Park’s huge planting scheme edges closer to target

Some 20 sites across the length and breadth of the National Park are benefitting from tree planting thanks to Trees for the Downs, which launched five years ago and is led by the South Downs National Park Trust, the official charity for the National Park.

Wonderful news for wetlands as £1.7m funding announced

A huge funding boost will help restore precious wetlands across the South Downs region and help raise awareness about the vital importance of water in all our lives.

Outdoor education opportunities for young people in the South Downs National Park given funding boost from Hydro Flask

As part of their Parks for All program, US company Hydro Flask have donated over £10,000 in 2024 to the South Downs Trust to help more young people living in cities to access the outdoors and access the health and wellbeing benefits of the National Park.

Golf courses coming together to fight biodiversity loss

Golf clubs across the South Downs National Park and beyond are coming together to help fight biodiversity loss.

Wildlife friendly volunteers scything to restore Magnificent Meadows

Two recent grants given by the South Downs Trust have had a big impact on effective meadow management in the Winchester area, offering free training to locals to learn the art of scything.

Community celebrates incredible climate action

A wave of inspiring climate action has been kickstarted thanks to a groundbreaking lottery-backed initiative in the Ouse Valley. From scores of children learning to ride bikes, to new community vegetable gardens, climate hubs, river tours, volunteer training and energy-saving workshops, people across the Lewes, Seaford, Peacehaven and Newhaven areas have been busy doing their bit to help their local environment.

Join us for an Exclusive Open Day at Nyetimber

Back by popular demand, we are pleased to invite you to attend another exclusive Nyetimber Open Day in aid of the South Downs National Park Trust on Friday 30 August.

Ouse Valley Climate Action – Community Pitch 2023-24

The Ouse Valley Climate Action (OVCA) project invited organisations in East Sussex to bid for a prize to turn their sustainability idea into practical action. Ideas had to meet the OVCA project themes of reducing carbon usage, supporting nature and enhancing wellbeing, knowledge and skills around climate change.

Investing in Heritage Building Crafts – SCF fund

Through our Sustainable Communities Fund, support has been given to the Sussex Heritage Trust to deliver “taster day” opportunities to try out building conservation crafts.

WIN – Bee-autiful necklace and bee charm up for grabs

In celebration of World Bee Day that took place recently, we’ve got a stunning necklace and bee charm in gold, part of their bee-themed accessories to give away, courtesy of Aspinal of London.

Vital ponds for nature are given new lease of life

Eight derelict dew ponds have been lovingly restored and are now thriving with new life, thanks to funding of over £90,000 from the South Downs National Park Trust.

Lost Railway at Bramber – the story revealed – SCF grant

Funded by the Sustainable Communities Fund (SCF) the four interpretation boards are located near to Bramber in West Sussex.

New partnership with National Express Transport Solutions

Hundreds more schoolchildren will be able to enjoy inspiring school trips to the National Park than in previous years, thanks to an innovative new partnership between the South Downs National Park and National Express Transport Solutions.

Treemendous! Village marks King’s Coronation with special tree planting

A beautiful wildlife corridor of trees has been planted in the centre of a South Downs village to mark The King’s Coronation.

More homes for barn owls in the Ouse Valley

A VCF grant has enabled a volunteer-led project to install six barn owl boxes and three little owl boxes around the Lower Ouse valley.

Major tree planting in National Park brings boost for nature

More than 23,000 trees are being planted this winter across the South Downs National Park to help wildlife flourish and increase resilience to climate change.

Bringing back the birds – SCF Fund

A grant from the South Downs Trust Sustainable Communities Fund has been awarded to the Arundel Community Orchard Group to help the town become a haven for wildlife.

Community Pitch: £500-£5,000 awards to tackle climate change in the Ouse Valley

Exciting grants initiative launched for green projects in Ouse Valley

Over £100,000 funding for school trips to the great outdoors

More than 12,000 schoolchildren have been able to connect with nature and the great outdoors thanks to a National Park grant scheme.

Bats to benefit from National Park’s grant scheme

A range of inspiring initiatives across the National Park have been awarded grant funding.

Win £250 by capturing breathtaking view of National Park

2023 South Downs Photo competition – ‘A New Perspective’

Over £5m raised to help nature bounce back

ReNature Festival celebrates nature recovery initiative