Charity Partner Spotlight: The Steyning Downland Scheme
The Steyning Downland Scheme are a registered charity who manage 165 acres of Wiston Estate, within the South Downs National Park.
about the sds
The Goring family has owned the land which is now the Steyning Downland since 1743. For many years the land was farmed but during the 1980s, changing agricultural practices led to grazing becoming sporadic and then stopping altogether. Then Harry and Pip Goring met Peter Harris from the nature conservation charity, A Rocha. They were inspired by their values and wanted to find a place to put these into action on the Wiston Estate.
The Steyning Downland Scheme are a charity who reconnect local people from all walks of life to the land, benefiting their mind, body and spirit. “We create inspiring opportunities for new people to join the community through active volunteering, engaging events and inclusive access, so improving this special place for wildlife and for present and future generations to enjoy.” – Matthew Thomas, Project Manager of SDS.
what & why?
Ecology explores how different species connect to create harmony. The SDS work with nature and people to create a setting where both are restored and can flourish.
This includes:
- Restore: Conserving and reviving some of the iconic habitats of the South Downs.
- Observe: Monitoring the health of a variety of habitats and species.
- Inform: Running educational programmes and events for people of all ages.
- Engage: Opening opportunities for anyone to volunteer with us.
recent news
On 15th February SDS teamed up with the Youth Action team from the South Downs National Park to plant some rather special Elm trees.
Matthew Thomas, Project Manager explains:
“Dutch Elm Disease ravaged almost all of the English Elms in Britain during the 1960s and 1970s. Although Elms can still be found in the countryside, including on the Steyning Downland, these reach only about 15 feet high before succumbing to the disease. Today very few mature Elms survive in England, outside the cordon sanitaire area of Brighton and Hove. Or that’s what everyone thought. But recently, several mature Elms were discovered growing wild in the Norfolk / Suffolk / Essex part of the UK and it is thought that these might be naturally resistant to the disease…”
planting special elms
Matthew continues: “Cuttings of the surviving East England Elms were taken and successfully propagated by specialists from Wakehurst Place, Kew. Fourteen of them were then donated to the Steyning Downland Scheme as an experiment, to see if they can survive ‘in the wild’. Normally this would be rather late in the year to be tree planting, but because the Elms were pot-grown, they should still do well. We skimmed off the turf for about 90cm around each tree, to reduce the competition from grass growth during the spring and added a tree guard to deter nibbling by rabbits!”
The trees we planted were:
- 8 x Ulmus alta (from Boxted, West Suffolk)
- 3 x Ulmus serratula (from Pebmarsh, North Essex)
- 2 x Ulmus curvifolia (from Thorpe Abbots, Norfolk)
- 1 x Ulmus atrovirens (from Halstead, Essex)
how you can help
Planting these Elm tree’s is just one example of the many great projects that the SDS organise. You can read more stores like this in their Latest News page. As a registered charity, the Steyning Downland Scheme depends upon the support of our Friends, donors and volunteers. There are many ways to support us, and help wildlife thrive. Whether you’re interested in hands-on habitat management, wildlife monitoring, or educational outreach, there’s a place for you at SDS. Find out more on their website – Get involved!
At Chalk Restaurant we add a discretionary charge of £1 per table for unlimited still and sparkling filtered water, this goes directly to the Steyning Downland Scheme. Since opening Chalk in 2021, we have raised £13,319 total to date. So, if you have dined with us, you have helped a fantastic cause!
