Dog walkers who use South Downs heathlands to exercise their furry friends are being invited to take part in a short survey.

Dog walkers who use South Downs heathlands to exercise their furry friends are being invited to take part in a short survey.

September 7, 2020

The Heathlands Reunited team has launched an online survey to look at dog walking habits on our heathlands, including whether people are going for out longer and more frequent walks since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The poll, which is filled in anonymously, also looks at other behaviours, including keeping canines on leads around livestock and picking up dog mess.

It comes as the Heathlands Reunited team – which is working to protect and enhance the precious heaths of the South Downs – analyses the impact of the Take The Lead campaign. The initiative, working with the National Park Authority, encourages responsible dog walking and has engaged with hundreds of dog walkers, including holding doggy training courses and community events.

Colin Carre, Heathlands Reunited Project Manager, said: “Heathlands are such beautiful, tranquil places and are understandably popular with dog walkers. A key focus of our project has been to engage with them and promote responsible dog walking to help nature flourish at these incredibly sensitive sites.

“There are no right or wrong answers, but this research will help build a better picture of current dog walking habits and look at how effective the Take the Lead campaign has been. We’d like as many dog walkers as possible who use heathlands to take part in the survey and it will take no more than 10 minutes. Your opinions and experiences are very valuable to us.”

The Heathlands Reunited Team is particularly keen to hear from dog walkers who use Chapel Common, Iping Common, Wiggonholt Common, Black Down, Woolmer Forest, Ludshott Common and Shortheath.

To take part in the survey visit

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KYPV7YM

The deadline for responses is 13 November 2020.