2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the first 'countryside management project', based in Surrey, with the establishment of the Lower Mole Countryside Management Project in 1983. To celebrate a volunteer task day was held on Epsom Common on Tuesday 31 October, the first worksite that the Moles worked on. The sun shone on the day which was attended by over 60 volunteers including staff and ex-staff! The Project is now known as The Lower Mole Partnership.
The Lower Mole Project was closely followed by the Downlands Countryside Management Project in 1988 and the Surrey Heathlands Project in 1990. Now the Surrey Countryside Partnerships are hosted by Surrey County Council and core funded by 7 Surrey Boroughs and Districts, plus 3 London Boroughs and the John Whitgift Foundation.
They cover a large area of Surrey and achieve over 23,000 volunteer hours per year. They organise 4 separate area based year round conservation volunteer programmes, plus run a conservation grazing service supported by over 100 volunteer livestock checkers.
Find out more about Surrey's Countryside Partnerships.
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