Partners

The Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere Partnership is made up of a range of more than forty different voluntary, conservation, education, local government and private sector bodies.

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  In 2017 they have increased wildflower areas in green spaces, and worked with SDNPA to better manage urban fringe downland sites; continued support to Shoreham Beach Local Nature Reserve and to The Conservation Volunteers to support Friends of Parks groups across Adur and Worthing
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  Has published the full-colour 'Butterflies of The Living Coast' poster, and is working with others on plans for an International Year of Biodiversity 2020 celebration
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  Working with local partners on feasibility appraisal for Newhaven District Heating Network, a commercial housing project in Brighton, and with Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust on a community housing project
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  Brighton & Hove Allotment Federation
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  Improving the environmental performance of their buses and depots, and promoting sustainable transport to visit the Biosphere region
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  Starting HLF-funded project restoration work at Stanmer Park, the Valley Gardens greenspace redevelopment, and the BioCultural Heritage Tourism project with Unesco Biospheres in 2018
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  Working for BHCC with the Biosphere programme to enage local school children and teachers in understanding and appreciating the world-class environment on their doorstep
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  Working at Race Hill Orchard and Saunders Park to raise awareness of The Living Coast
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  A volunteer organisation that provides an independent voice and communication hub for community groups working in Brighton & Hove’s parks and open spaces
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  Supporting the Brighton & Hove House Sparrow conservation project through volunteer surveys in the spring
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  BPEC does local environmental education work and its campaigns include reducing single use plastics and fighting fuel poverty and air pollution.
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  Extensive native Elm planting to benefit the White-letter Hairstreak butterfly
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  This regional energy hub supports the growth of Community Energy Groups, promoting local ownership of renewable energy and reduced fuel poverty
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  Community Works
• Ditchling Society (& Parish Council) - focus on public litter picks and prevention, reviewing water refill facilities, and work with the Sussex Ornithological Society to increase swifts nesting populations
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  Developing successful school garden into a community allotment and developing the Stringer Triangle as a wildlife area, and planning for 2020 International Year of Biodiversity
• East Chiltington Parish Council
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  Working to bring Local Wildlife Sites into positive conservation management through the Sussex LWS Partnership.
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  A principal supporter of the 'Brighton Champ for Water' groundwater partnership project, and is supporting water environment local improvement schemes on the Teville Stream and River Ouse weirs of Isfield and Anchor
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  Supporting the development of environmental arts projects that promote understanding and engagement in The Living Coast
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  Friends of the Earth Brighton & Hove are campaigning on air pollution, transport, planning and plastics in 2018
• Hamsey Parish Council is continuing quarterly litter picks, talking with Sustrans about establishing safe cycle connecting routes to Lewes and Cooksbridge, and negotiating woodland access and community space for Bevernbridge residents at the Old Hamsey Brickworks
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  Hassocks, Keymer & Ditchling Transition
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  Horsham District Council
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  Connecting people and countryside sites through volunteering and community engagement activities and events, including support to the Wildflower Lewes group; providing information on and promotion of The Living Coast through LNRs interpretation, and on LDC tourist information website
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  Running a Lewes based school circular curriculum programme and an outreach programme for schools beyond, and the Linklater 'RATS' programme on sea level rise for secondary pupils
• Lewes Town Council
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  Mid Sussex District Council
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  Developing volunteering opportunities for participants in pilot 'GROW' wellbeing and mental health project in 2018; leading 'The Changing Chalk' conservation project partnership bid
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  Developing England Coastal Path route locally, with interpretation of marine environment; also providing local farms advice (CHAMP), biodiversity enhancements, supporting facilitation fund farm cluster, and promoting Castle Hill NNR public engagement
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  Supporting the development of environmental arts projects that promote understanding and engagement in The Living Coast
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  Working to improve biodiversity at Valley Ponds and Riverside Park in Newhaven including the creation of new ponds to enhance habitats for amphibians
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  Has an environmental management action plan and ecological strategy, and is seeking student project opportunities including estate wildlife surveys
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  To incorporate Biosphere themes within the new planned Rampion Visitor Centre exhibition, and supporting local environmental projects through the new Rampion Fund
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  Leading Brighton Swift Cities and Brighton & Hove House Sparrow projects, plus advice on nature-friendly farming techniques, environmental education visits to local primary schools, and family engagement summer sessions in Brighton parks
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  Shoreham Port Authority
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  Delivery of outdoor environmental education for the 'Our Water Matters' Biosphere project to primary schools in Newhaven, Peacehaven and Brighton, and plans to deliver the 'Art Active…Naturally' project in Newhaven, Lewes and Brighton
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  In 2017, they developed further mapping of chalk grassland and prioritised actions to improve the condition of Local Wildlife Sites and non-designated sites too, plus have been supporting site management through volunteers and grassroots funding too
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  South Downs Society
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  Has sponsored the 'Our Water Matters' Biosphere project for 180 children in primary schools in Newhaven and Peacehaven in 2017, with plans for a second round of support in 2018
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  Govia Thameslink Railway will create a network map of Station Partnerships who support biodiversity through planting at stations, and deliver training to Station Partners on biodiversity conservation
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  Offers free water saving visits to homes to reduce water consumption and save customers money on their bills, and leads the 'Brighton Champ for Water' partnership project to improve groundwater quality in rural and urban areas of the Brighton chalk aquifer
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  SCDA works across East Sussex supporting community based projects
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  Raising awareness of 'Beachy Head West' Marine Conservation Zone as part of The Living Coast, and proposal to develop an interpretative field guide and work in partnership on interpretation signs in 2018
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  Range of local activities from leading environmental education in Brighton & Hove schools, land management on SWT nature reserves, water catchment partnership work, and management and provison of biodiversity information
• Telscombe Town Council
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  Runs developer funded local projects, seeking further archaeology work at Whitehawk hill, and work with Royal Pavilion and Museums and Brighton and Hove Archaeological Society where possible
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  Key body in the Biosphere Research & Monitoring Strategy 2017-19 implementation, supporting relevant student research projects, maintaining an inventory of completed projects, and pursuing opportunities for doctoral studies and other research
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  Working on estate carbon savings (1300 tonnes CO2), reduced water usage (20% from 2016), and renewable technologies (Solar PV); encouraging relevant student research projects under the Biosphere Research & Monitoring Strategy 2017-19, collation of information, possible research collaborations and funding applications
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  Supports the promotion of The Living Coast to visitors, and host of the Biosphere project of 'BioCultural Heritage Tourism'
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  Promoting access to The Living Coast and South Downs National Park through public rights of way, especially the Downslink route from Shoreham, and providing information through local site interpretation
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  WCA is developing a Visitor Centre for the public, showcasing the Brighton Dolphin Project, as well as leading training courses and local school programmes and collaborating with local businesses to become ‘Brighton Dolphin Friendly’