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 and goats 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.
The Project won a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund five years ago to conserve the valuable chalk downland found across Surrey and south London. This enables the London and Surrey chalk grassland Habitat Action Plan targets to be met. Total value of the programme is just under £1 million over a six year period. This project is known as The Old Surrey Downs Project. Take a look at our Project News section for further information on this.
