Partners
The Living Coast Biosphere partnership is made up of a range of more than forty different voluntary, conservation, education, local government and private sector bodies.
Brighton & Hove City Council
We are the lead partner in the UNESCO Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere. The council declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in December 2018 and made a commitment as a city to become carbon neutral by 2030.
Lewes District Council
Lewes district is a diverse and beautiful place, with strong Sussex traditions and a history of standing up for each other and what matters. Lewes District Council is committed to supporting measures to help arrest biodiversity losses, restore habitats and work with our partners for climate resilience to promote healthy and thriving communities. Tackling climate change and the ecological crisis is central to all our activities, with the ambition of becoming a carbon neutral and climate-resilient council by 2030.
Adur & Worthing Councils
We are committed to tackling climate change and protecting our natural environment. The Councils declared a climate emergency in 2019 and have set a target to be carbon neutral by 2030. We have also signed the UK 100 pledge for the whole area of Adur and Worthing to reach Net Zero by 2045.
University of Brighton
Our commitment to sustainability runs throughout all our practices, from the management of the university’s campuses and facilities, through procurement, travel, food, ethical investment, community engagement, research, teaching and learning. The university’s award-winning sustainability campaign, c-change, engages staff, students and members of the community in driving forward progress towards a fully sustainable university.
Plumpton College
We are commited to becoming carbon zero and meeting the Further Education Climate Action Roadmap.
University of Sussex
The university is working to embed sustainability into all aspects of student learning and experience; positively impact the community through a sustainable supply chain, social responsibility and low transport emissions; and promote biodiversity and sustainable food, waste and water consumption and recycling.
Dorothy Stringer School
A mixed comprehensive Green Flag Eco School, leading the way on biodiversity education through habitat restoration on the school grounds. Bringing the Biosphere into the heart of the city and connecting children with the natural world.
Our City, Our World
Brighton and Hove Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Education Programme advancing environmental literacy and social engagement in the city’s schools.
Brighton & Hove Food Partnership
We’re a non-profit organisation helping people learn to cook, eat a healthy diet, grow their own food and waste less food.
South Downs National Park
We own 43 hectares of downland, conserving its unique chalk grassland ecology, and support wildflower verges, wildlife corridors and tree planting. We encourage environmentally sensitive gardening at our allotments and promote Swift nesting boxes when planning applications appear suitable. We have installed Heat-pump technology in our buildings.
Natural England
We’re the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England. We help to protect and restore our natural world.
National Trust
The National Trust manages countryside sites across The Living Coast, promoting access to the South Downs and engaging visitors in its wildlife and history. Delivering ‘Trust in Nature’, a wellbeing and mental health project and leading the ‘Changing Chalk’ National Lottery Heritage Fund project.
Brighton & Hove Green Spaces Forum
We provide a communications and information hub to the 80+ green space volunteer groups working across the city.
Big Nature
Creating habitats in the Biosphere – Inspiring a renaissance in the relationship between ourselves and local wildlife through a program of habitat restoration and biodiversity education within The Living Coast.
Brighton & Hove's Wildlife Forum
Brighton and Hove’s Wildlife Forum is a place for local residents, naturalists, ecologists and wildlife groups to share expertise and co-ordinate efforts to protect and enhance biodiversity across the city. Current projects involve House Sparrows, the Black Rock development and road verges.
Sussex Bat Group
The Sussex Bat Group was formed in 1984 to help conserve bats and their habitat and raise awareness of bats and their conservation. Bats are facing serious population decline across the UK and there is a bat group in nearly every county working to help reverse this.
Sussex Dolphin Project
Sussex Dolphin Project aims to inspire the local community to reconnect with the coast and protect our seas by building awareness, delivering education initiatives and driving research through a citizen science project, which adds to the organisation’s database of marine mammal sightings.
Green Tides
Green Tides CIC is a network organisation of Friends and environmental volunteer groups across Adur & Worthing, all of whom work to improve and protect green and blue spaces across our area.Â
Brighton & Hove Buses
We are committed to providing cleaner, greener and safer journeys to passengers across The Living Coast investing £10 million in ultra-low and zero emissions buses since 2020.
Community Energy South
We support our members – local community energy groups and community organisations – to grow as sustainable low carbon businesses.
Rampion Offshore Wind
RWE operates the Rampion offshore wind farm 20 kilometres off The Living Coast. It generates almost 1,400 gigawatt hours of electricity a year, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of almost 350,000 British households or about half the households in Sussex.
Shoreham Port
Shoreham Port is trailblazing for sustainable business with its EcoPort status, goals on achieving net-zero air quality and carbon emissions by 2035, their Green Energy Hub to decarbonise Port operations; and the creation of a rewilded ‘Conservation Corridor’ with partner Sussex Dolphin Project to connect biodiversity refuges throughout The Living Coast.
Sussex Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority
Sussex IFCA manages a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries within The Living Coast. In 2021 we introduced a new bylaw to protect the seabed from trawl fishing, to restore Sussex’s remarkable kelp forests which provide vital habitat for hundreds of species and sequester a large amount of carbon in the fight against climate change.
Southern Water
We provide water and wastewater services for Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Our relationship with the environment is a vital element of our business.
Hanover Action
Hanover Action brings people together to foster understanding of and take practical steps to promote sustainable living in our local community. We support people in taking their ideas forward in the light of the climate and ecological emergency that we face. We connect with organisations and individuals across The Living Coast region and beyond – lobbying for bold action, and greater community engagement, in responding to the climate crisis.
Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA)
SCDA delivers activities supporting local people to access to green, open and blue spaces for health and wellbeing, works with communities to take actions to address climate change and an active member of Sussex Local Nature Partnership focussing on access to green and open spaces for health.
Archaeology South-East
ASE undertakes commercial, research and public engagement archaeological projects across the region from their Portslade office. They are keen to create and participate in multidisciplinary projects with local partners involving the biosphere’s natural and cultural heritage.
Shoreham Port
Visit Brighton is Brighton’s official tourism site, featuring the latest information on events, places to stay and visit.
So Sussex
Based in the heart of the lovely Sussex countryside, So Sussex offers a range of outdoor activities, events, challenges and festivals for families, visitors to the area, schools and companies.
South East Water
South East Water owns or manages 33 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve, two local nature reserves and numerous Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A healthy, vibrant environment where nature can flourish is essential to protecting our valuable water resources.
Lewes Railway Land Wildlife Trust
RSPB
The RSPB works in the UK and around the world to protect habitats, save species, and help to end the nature and climate emergency. They do this through five main work areas: science, species, places, people and policy.
Sussex Wildlife Trust
Sussex Wildlife Trust leads on Wilder Horsham District, the Sussex Flow Initiative, Wild Coast Sussex, BHee project, Shoresearch and Seasearch. It manages six nature reserves in the Biosphere and works with communities and schools to take action for wildlife in the downs, towns, along the coast and in the sea.
One Garden Brighton
A restored walled garden on the Stanmer Estate, One Garden celebrates heritage and innovation. We produce traditional fruit and vegetable crops which are served in our restaurant and café and showcase garden spaces to inspire visitors and generate ideas to take home.
ONCA
O N C A is a Brighton based arts charity that bridges social and environmental justice issues with creativity.
Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation
The Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation is run by volunteer allotment holders to promote and protect allotments in Brighton and Hove, and to represent the plot holders’ interests.
