Home Page

We manage 165 acres of woodland, species-rich chalk grassland and wetland in the South Downs National Park, just outside Steyning, West Sussex. As a UK registered charity our aim is to create a wide variety of opportunities for local people (particularly young people) to get 'hands-on' involvement in their local downland.

Almost everything we do is through volunteers. We organise nature conservation activities, research, community events, education and recreation days so that people can work together in decision-making and practical land management.

We work with a range of local and national organisations, including Steyning Grammar School, Steyning Community Orchard group, the South Downs National Park Authority, Butterfly Conservation, Wakehurst Place, Kew and A Rocha, a national Christian nature conservation organisation. The land we manage is part of the Wiston Estate and we work closely with the Goring family who own it.

“The hope is to foster a meeting of different minds and people, coming together in the pursuit of seeing the everyday miracle of creation and being inspired to hope for the future. . . .”

Richard Goring, Chair of the Trustees.