Ambitious partnerships and projects across the chalk and limestone landscapes of southern England will be funded through the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund
Launched in August with £750,000 of capital funding, the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund supports high-impact, collaborative projects that restore species-rich grasslands, chalk streams, and ancient woodlands; strengthen wildlife corridors and connect habitats; boost resilience to climate change; and build local capacity to deliver long-term nature recovery across Big Chalk landscapes.
Funding success
The first round of funding has been a resounding success: three-quarters of a million pounds has been allocated within just two months of launch to support 21 projects delivering nature recovery across Big Chalk landscapes.
With almost 200 enquiries from Big Chalk partners and prospective applicants, the majority from farmers and landowners, the demand demonstrates the energy, creativity, and ambition across the Big Chalk partnership and geography to recover nature at scale.
Emerging priorities
The first round of projects highlights the potential of the Nature Recovery Fund to drive nature’s recovery across 20% of England:
- Habitat restoration – revitalising chalk and limestone grasslands, chalk rivers and streams, and ancient woodlands.
- Landscape connectivity – linking habitats across boundaries to create a mosaic that helps wildlife move and thrive as the climate changes.
- Nature-friendly land management – supporting farmers, landowners, and communities to support nature’s recovery.
- Collaboration at scale – uniting partners to deliver meaningful, landscape-wide impact across the Big Chalk geography.
The Big Chalk programme and Nature Recovery Fund is funded through the Protected Landscapes Partnership, supported by Defra. The Fund enables partners to work across landscape and administrative boundaries, reaching the important places in-between protected landscapes and creating the conditions for nature to thrive.
“It’s fantastic to see such a wide range of organisations – from wildlife charities and local authorities to farmers and community groups – leading this work. These projects put into practice the goals of Natural England’s strategy, Recovering Nature for Growth, Health and Security, by restoring habitats, boosting ecological resilience, and helping communities connect with nature. This kind of collaboration across landscapes is exactly what’s needed to support wildlife, people, and climate resilience at scale.”
— Edel McGurk, Regional Director (South East) at Natural England and Big Chalk Partner
Real projects. Real impact.
The Fund is supporting a range of nature recovery initiatives that together showcase the potential of partnership and creativity, including:
- Restoring and reconnecting chalk and limestone grasslands – enhancing species-rich habitats and strengthening ecological networks across the Big Chalk geography.
- Reviving globally rare chalk streams – restoring natural river function, improving water quality, and supporting freshwater wildlife.
- Enhancing ancient and native woodlands – applying traditional management techniques to benefit wildlife and engage communities in woodland stewardship.
- Extending and embedding wildlife-friendly farming – supporting nature-positive land management and farm-scale habitat creation that links with wider ecological networks.
Achievements and impact
The first round of the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund will support delivery of a diverse portfolio of projects, from protected wildlife site restoration and chalk stream improvements to species-rich grassland creation and ancient woodland enhancement. Projects are happening both within protected landscapes such as the Cotswolds and Kent Downs National Landscapes and South Downs National Park, and in the important places in-between these protected landscapes, strengthening habitat connectivity and boosting wildlife populations across the Big Chalk geography.
Many of the funded projects involve partnerships of landowners and environmental organisations, bringing together local knowledge and big-picture ambition. Many projects reflect the priorities identified in Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS), showing how targeted investment strengthens wider nature recovery goals. Together, the projects supported by the Fund will contribute directly to the goals of the Government’s recently updated Environmental Improvement Plan for England.
“As a pilot, the Nature Recovery Fund is already exceeding expectations. The fact that it has been fully allocated within two months shows the appetite for collaboration and the strength of the Big Chalk partnership. We’re proving by working together, across boundaries, sectors, and communities, we can deliver nature recovery at the scale the climate and nature crises demand. We’re ambitious to do much more in the future and are working with and seeking new partners to secure more resources for this vital work”.
— Nick Johannsen FLI, Chair of Big Chalk
Looking ahead
We’re now moving through due diligence and beginning the onboarding process with successful applicants, and we look forward to sharing more details of the successful projects soon.
While it is still early days, the first round of the Fund shows the benefits of having a shared vision for nature’s recovery, supported by more than 150 organisations across southern England’s iconic chalk and limestone landscapes. This collective ambition and collaboration lays the foundations for future rounds of funding and demonstrates what’s possible when individuals and organisations unite behind a compelling, landscape-scale vision for nature’s recovery.
Follow Big Chalk on LinkedIn to stay up to date as these projects and partnerships take shape and begin delivering for nature and people across the Big Chalk geography.