Downs to the Sea

Recovery and resilience in wetland habitats

Nature is in crisis.

The world is changing rapidly, and external factors are having a significant impact on our landscapes, heritage and communities.

The quality and quantity of water is one of the biggest issues in the South Downs National Park.

A healthy water environment is vital for the wellbeing of nature and people, yet on the dry chalk ridge of the South Downs, 70% of ponds have been lost, with resulting negative impacts for wildlife.

The State of our Rivers Report 2024 delivered the stark warning that none of England’s rivers are in good condition, and issues such as pollution, flooding and drought are only becoming more pressing in the face of climate change.

Water is at the heart of the Downs to the Sea project.

It is a precious resource that is vital for people and communities, just as it is for nature and wildlife.

Restoring vital wetlands and ponds to good ecological condition is critical to provide support biodiversity and reduce flood risk.

Enabling more people to enjoy and understand the value of water in the landscape is urgent for public health and wellbeing and to ensure resilience in communities and the wider countryside.

Downs to the Sea brings together a partnership comprising the South Downs National Park Trust, South Downs National Park Authority, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Western Sussex  Rivers Trust (formerly known as Arun and Rother Rivers Trust), Brighton and Hove City Council, and Writing Our Legacy.

The partnership has been working on developing activities around the two following strands:

• Water in the landscape, focused on restoring and improving vital wetlands, ponds and rivers, and increasing the landscape’s resilience to climate change and other threats;
• Water in people’s lives, focussed on connecting people to natural heritage and the water in their lives, to benefit their health and wellbeing, to develop skills and knowledge, and to help protect precious freshwater resources that are vital to our communities.

Following support from National Lottery Heritage Fund for our development phase, we are very pleased to have received £1.7m to continue the initiative for the next three years.

Thank you to National Lottery players for supporting Downs to the Sea.

If you have any questions or would like to talk about the project, please contact us at DownstotheSea@southdowns.gov.uk