Downlands Partnership is a separate organisation but is our primary partner organisation and beneficiary. It:
The countryside management work carried out by Downlands Partnership staff and volunteers is wide-ranging and includes:
Grazing is carried out with the aim of conserving and restoring Chalk Downland habitat. This is achieved by working in partnership with their stakeholders including local authorities, charities, community groups and landowners. The Grazing Team delivers both the grazing service in terms of animals and also helps to monitor the sites, carrying out regular visits and offering expertise on the grazing regimes that will best suit the objectives for the grassland. Downlands Partnership volunteers provide invaluable assistance with livestock checking (sheep, cattle, goats) on a rota system managed by the Downlands Partnership grazing team.
- Provides a local, established countryside management partnership service, with the vital support of volunteers.
- Carries out seasonal practical countryside work in order to maintain, restore and enhance biodiversity and access.
- Delivers an extensive conservation grazing programme at 30 locations across NE Surrey and in the adjoining urban fringe areas of Croydon and Sutton, including sites in Banstead, Caterham, Chipstead, Coulsdon, New Addington, Sanderstead and Woldingham. In 2024 the Downlands Partnership grazed a total of 230 sheep, 21 cattle and 10 goats.
The countryside management work carried out by Downlands Partnership staff and volunteers is wide-ranging and includes:
- scrub clearance;
- fence construction and maintenance;
- hedge and tree planting; coppicing;
- path and step construction and maintenance;
- pond creation and maintenance;
- ragwort and targeted invasive species (rhododendron) control;
Grazing is carried out with the aim of conserving and restoring Chalk Downland habitat. This is achieved by working in partnership with their stakeholders including local authorities, charities, community groups and landowners. The Grazing Team delivers both the grazing service in terms of animals and also helps to monitor the sites, carrying out regular visits and offering expertise on the grazing regimes that will best suit the objectives for the grassland. Downlands Partnership volunteers provide invaluable assistance with livestock checking (sheep, cattle, goats) on a rota system managed by the Downlands Partnership grazing team.
