The Downlands Countryside Management Project was established in May 1988 to provide a quality urban fringe countryside service, enhancing the environment for people and wildlife. Its area of operation covers greenbelt countryside in north-east Surrey and adjoining parts of south London. The rolling chalk hills and associated valleys give rise to stunning scenery. Sheep (breeds: Beulah Speckled Face, Jacob & Herdwick), feral goats, Sussex cattle and Dartmoor ponies successfully graze the chalk downland as part of a long-term management regime.

The aims of the Project encompass the whole range of countryside management activities relating to access, landscape, biodiversity, sustainability, information and community involvement.

The Project area contains a variety of habitats and features but is dominated by the important and threatened chalk downland habitat found on the scarp and dip slopes of the North Downs. The Downlands Project has been extremely successful in achieving a wide range of countryside improvements and generating support and involvement in practical action from local communities.

The Project relies very heavily on its dedicated group of volunteers and is always happy to welcome along anyone new. Explore our pages here or contact us for a copy of the Downlander, our twice-yearly newsletter. We also run a wide-ranging programme of guided walks and volunteer tasks, full information can also be found on the adjoining pages.