The Downlands Project works with volunteers to carry out environmental improvements in northeast Surrey, Croydon and Sutton.
Since 1988, over 250,000 hours of voluntary help have been devoted to improving local countryside, including the restoration, creation and conservation of ponds, chalk downland and grasslands, woodlands and numerous self-guided trails.
Why not join us in this valuable work by checking out our interesting and varied work programme (please see pdf at bottom of page) and coming out for a day or two? You can join us on task as often or as little as you like; there is no fixed commitment. We would really appreciate some extra help on Sundays, so if you would like to get involved, please do get in touch us and come and give it a try soon.
Please come out and join us anytime between 10am and 4pm. All task begin at 10am unless otherwise stated.
Gloves, tools, training, mugs of tea or coffee, biscuits and lots of fun!
Ring to confirm you want to come before the workday on 01883 341140 (there's an answer phone if we're not there).
If you are late or cannot find us on site, you can ring us on the task mobile no. 07968 832523.
Please wear stout footwear and suitable outdoor clothing that you are willing to get a bit dirty! Don't forget your packed lunch if staying for the day; very important!
Exercise, new friends, a sense of achievement and the feeling that you have done your bit for your lovely local countryside. It's also very useful for gaining experience if you wish to pursue a career in countryside management.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries regarding any tasks. The Project team are always friendly and helpful. We are often out of the office, but please leave a message.
The Project produces a magazine, The Downlander, twice a year. Please contact us on 01737 737700 or email: downlands@surreycc.gov.uk, if you would like a copy of the latest issue.
Besides core funding from our partners, we are always in need of that bit extra for funding tools or health and safety equipment, materials on the ground or the extra sheep or two to help conserve our beautiful landscape. So, if you are unable to help by taking part in practical work, you can still help the Project by giving a donation to our charitable arm, the Downlands Trust. The Trust was established in November 2008 by a small group of dedicated volunteers to support the Project and its environmental works. They would be very happy to welcome you as a member of the Trust.
In addition to the practical tasks and events listed in our volunteer task programme, we also run a full grazing programme, currently through our sister project the Old Surrey Downs, which is substantially funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Old Surrey Downs Project manages a conservation grazing programme on several important sites, including some fine chalk grassland Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) across Surrey, South London and now in to Kent too.
As anything to do with livestock management has by necessity to be flexible, we do not publish the grazing task programme. However, should you be interested in assisting with conservation grazing, please do contact Project Officer Peter Otley (01883 341140), who leads the Old Surrey Downs grazing and livestock management. We have a closed grazing flock of over 150 animals, comprising sheep, cattle, goats & Dartmoor Ponies.
Winter Practical Conservation Volunteering Task Programme
