Futurescapes/Southdowns Ensure a Bright Future for the South Downs

South Downs

An amazing place for people Our work so far and for wildlife We have a long-standing history in the The South Downs includes some of our South Downs, having managed a nature most iconic countryside, running right reserve at Pulborough Brooks for over across south-east England, from the chalk two decades. Covering 220 hectares of hills of Hampshire to the spectacular sea wetland, woodland and heath, it is a cliffs at Beachy Head. It takes in river popular visitor destination, providing valleys, woodlands and heaths, as well as precious opportunities to enjoy the variety flower-rich grassland and rolling farmland. of the surrounding landscape. But our These habitats in turn support a wide activities and ambitions don’t stop there. range of wonderful wildlife species. Birds such as lapwings, grey partridges, corn In 2012, the South Downs Way Ahead buntings and nightjars, beautiful plants Nature Improvement Area (NIA) became including round-headed rampion and bell one of 12 areas in England to receive heather, and insects such as Adonis blue Government funding. This brought Lapwing butterflies and rare field crickets all call together key partners to plan and deliver this landscape home. Both people and significant improvements for wildlife and wildlife are reliant on the natural assets people across this landscape. The focus of this beautiful area – food, clean water, of this development is the chalk grassland DECLINEKeeping the of South tourism and recreation opportunities. In along the South Downs Way National Downs the Capercaillie special fact, the South Downs is so important Trail, and we have been supporting work that it has been made a National Park. here by carrying out breeding bird surveys CapercaillieShaped by centuries are woodland of human grouse, and providing advice to farmers and confinedactivity, including to native a mixturepine forest of arable and Home to over 112,000 people, the landowners, often in partnership with the someand livestock commercial farming, conifer the South National Park draws in an average of 46 Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. plantations.Downs requires Their sensitive needs are not million visits each year! These impressive straightforwardmanagement to assustain they requireits incredible vast figures bring challenges and pressures Another such project is Arun and Rother expansesnatural diversity. of suitable It is hosthabitat. to a Males vast to the environment. This means that we Connections (ARC), a landscape-scale arearray black, of flora huge and and fauna. unmistakable, But nature’s need to work together to ensure future partnership project funded by the Heritage especiallyhome here so is whenby no meansthey gather secure. to generations continue to enjoy and protect Lottery Fund. By restoring and performThe landscape their mating is facing ritual fresh at this exceptional natural resource. reconnecting wetland habitats, this project traditionalchallenges, lek to sites.adapt Theyto the spend needs a of lot aims to promote a rich and thriving river ofits timeinhabitants feeding and on the blaeberries impacts ofon a Farming has been a key feature of the system, improving access and linking thechanging ground, climate. but may The also key beto takingfound South Downs for centuries, creating communities to these river landscapes. Not incare trees, of the feeding South onDowns pine needles.is building much of the countryside as we know only will this enhance the rivers, but it will Theconnections UK capercaillie across thepopulation landscape. and it today and playing a vital role in the ensure good stewardship over them for rangeIt is vital has that declined we work rapidly, together and tothe rural economy. The many efforts being years to come. Our partners are the Sussex speciesenhance is and now protect at risk its of unique extinction. mix made by farmers and landowners to Wildlife Trust, South Downs National Park Conservationof habitats, making and restoration sure it can ofdeliver the engage in wildlife-friendly agricultural Authority, Natural England, Environment habitatto its fullest is essential potential if theyfor people are to and practices are crucial to conservation Agency, West Sussex County Council and thrivewildlife once for generations more. to come. on a landscape scale. the Arun and Rother Rivers Trust. KEY main road Farnham Futurescape area Special Protection Area Alton

Haslemere

Billingshurst

Petersfield Petworth Midhurst Pulborough Eastleigh

Lewes Arundel Havant Chichester Brighton Worthing Littlehampton Peacehaven Newhaven Portsmouth Bognor Regis Seaford Eastborne

South Downs “ Without a thriving natural environment, people will lose out on the quality of life they deserve. Connecting people with nature, as well as looking after and expanding wildlife-rich sites, is vital to our future. Working with our partners, the RSPB is committed to achieving a healthy environment throughout the South Downs.”

What’s next? Get in touch We hope to maintain the strong relationships we have We want to hear your ideas about how we can work formed with other organisations and individuals throughout together to make the South Downs even better for people this landscape, while also encouraging new partners to and wildlife. Contact us or visit: work with us. It is only by working together that we can rspb.org.uk/futurescapes/southdowns ensure a bright future for the South Downs.

As the ARC project progresses through its delivery Futurescapes Programme South East England programme, we will see major landscape-scale changes in Manager Regional Office the river catchments. The Pulborough Brooks nature Steve Gilbert 1st Floor, Pavilion View reserve is within the project area, and we will be improving T 01273 763604 19 New Road facilities there and encouraging its use as a “gateway” to E [email protected] Brighton BN1 1UF the South Downs. In the wider countryside we will put T 01273 775333 special effort into working together with farmers and landowners to turn around the fortunes of threatened birds such as corn buntings, as well as other key wildlife.

Futurescapes is the RSPB’s contribution to landscape-scale Natura 2000 – Europe’s Futurescapes is The RSPB is a member conservation throughout the UK. nature for you. We are generously supported of BirdLife International, working together across the by the EU Life+ a partnership of conservation The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) EU to safeguard Europe’s rich Communications organisations working to give is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, and diverse natural heritage Programme nature a home around the world for the benefit of all Scotland no. SC037654. Images: South Downs by Roger Wilmshurst and lapwing by Andy Hay (both rspb-images.com). Maps produced by RSPB CDMU © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. RSPB licence 100021787. 020-1-1237-13-14