An exciting £1.7m “Downs to the Sea” initiative to restore precious wetlands across the South Downs region and raise awareness about water is now under way.
It comes after National Lottery Heritage Fund grant last year.
The initiative will help carry out much-needed restoration work to a number of internationally-designated wildlife sites restoring 15 ponds in the National Park to create biodiversity hotspots and support the movement of wildlife.
A range of activities are also planned to connect people with waterways, including volunteering to help rivers and social prescribing to tap into waters’ benefits for health and wellbeing.
It comes as wetlands are under increasing threat from climate change, water usage, pollution, flooding, drought, and fragmentation. Some two thirds of all freshwater species are supported by ponds and yet the UK has lost half of all its ponds since 1900. In the South Downs National Park, a survey of pond locations showed that almost 70 per cent are in poor condition, or have disappeared from the landscape, resulting in large swathes of downland where no surface water is available for wildlife.
The South Downs region is full of incredible blue spaces – rivers, streams, ponds, coastline and a huge aquifer – but like so many parts of the UK, these water environments are under increasing threat. In many places wildlife is just surviving, rather than thriving as it should be.
Downs to the Sea has two main strands: water in the landscape and water in people’s lives. On the landscape side, a number of schemes are in the offing:
- Wetland Restoration in the Arun Valley – delivering vital restoration works on a string of functionally-connected nature reserves down through the Arun Valley to the coast, at RSPB Pulborough Brooks and Amberley Wildbrooks, and at Ferry Pool wetlands, part of RSPB Pagham Harbour and RSPB Medmerry. These sites are internationally designated for their wildlife but need urgent investment to help increase biodiversity and build climate resilience.
There will be:
- Volunteering and apprenticeship opportunities around the monitoring and maintenance of watercourses.
- The creation of “Water Champions” to help lead community-based action and raise awareness of the importance of water in the landscape.
- A range of activities, including social prescribing, to help people experiencing loneliness, anxiety and depression. Working with local organisations there will be opportunities to get involved in nature-based activities, including at RSPB Pulborough Brooks.
- Schools will receive fun and interactive assembly presentations and workshops, supporting the National Curriculum Rivers topic with local information and ideas on how they can help their water environment.
- Led by Writing Our Legacy, there will be creative opportunities for those who may not have had access to wetlands before. Working with artists from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse audiences, the creative project will explore and respond to the Arun Valley and its wider landscape and heritage.
For updates on the project visit: