News and events

News and events

Corn Bunting sitting at the top of a tree singing. A corn bunting (Emberiza calandra) is a stocky, brownish-gray bird with streaked plumage, often blending into its grassy or agricultural surroundings. It has a thick, conical bill and a slightly larger head relative to its body. The bird’s song is a distinctive, jangling "metallic rattle" sound, often delivered from a perch like a fence post or wire. Corn buntings are commonly seen in open farmland, particularly in fields of grain, where they feed on seeds and insects.

An important update on Big Chalk Conversations

The wellbeing of our partners and participants comes first. In response to the current amber and red heat warnings and associated public health advice, we’re rescheduling a small number of upcoming Big Chalk Conversations workshops.

If you were planning to attend tomorrow’s workshop in Winchester, please don’t travel — the session has been postponed.

We’ve also made the decision to postpone the Dorchester (Wednesday) and Moreton-in-Marsh (Thursday) sessions.

We’ve emailed delegates, so please check your inbox if you were planning to attend.

Big Chalk Conversations are about creating the space for open, practical discussions on the future of nature recovery across our chalk and limestone landscapes. We want everyone to be able to take part safely, comfortably and at their best.

While we’re disappointed not to be meeting this week, the conversations themselves are what matter most, and we’re already looking forward to bringing everyone back together soon.

We’ll confirm revised arrangements as quickly as possible.Thank you for your understanding, flexibility and continued enthusiasm for Big Chalk Conversations.

Find out more about Big Chalk Conversations
Pewsey Downs, looking towards Salisbury Plain, offers expansive views of rolling chalk hills and open countryside. The landscape features sweeping green fields and distant, undulating plains, with Salisbury Plain visible on the horizon. The scene is tranquil and panoramic, showcasing the natural beauty and wide-open spaces of the region.
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Big Chalk Conversations: Delivering nature’s recovery at scale

Big Chalk Conversations—a structured programme of workshops and engagement designed to strengthen how we work together across this shared landscape.

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Chalk grassland meadow with tall grasses and purple and yellow wildflowers under a cloudy sky, showcasing species‑rich habitat typical of Slindon Estate, West Sussex.
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Restoring chalk and limestone grasslands – landscapes linked for wildlife

Discover how eight Big Chalk-funded projects are transforming southern England’s chalk and limestone landscapes

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Group of Belted Galloway cattle grazing in a lush green pasture, characterized by their distinctive black coats with broad white belts around the midsection, standing among tall grass in a rural field.
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Nature-Friendly Farming – productive land powering wildlife recovery

Farmers working with nature to restore wildlife, soils, and habitats across chalk and limestone landscapes

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Duke of Burgundy butterfly with orange‑and‑brown patterned wings resting on bright green leaves, highlighting this rare species in chalk grassland habitat.
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Bringing rare chalk wildlife back from the brink

Restoring chalk landscapes for rare butterflies, orchids and ground-nesting birds through targeted, partnership-led action

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Group of volunteers spread across a steep hillside clearing vegetation as part of chalk grassland habitat restoration work.
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People powering nature – communities at the heart of recovery

From citizen scientists to community volunteers, discover how local action is driving lasting change across chalk landscapes

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A serene chalk stream flowing gently through a lush green area, with aquatic plants and white water crowfoot flowers in the foreground.
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Bringing southern England’s chalk streams back to life

Reviving chalk streams, reconnecting habitats, supporting wildlife, and bringing communities closer to nature

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Corn Bunting sitting at the top of a tree singing. A corn bunting (Emberiza calandra) is a stocky, brownish-gray bird with streaked plumage, often blending into its grassy or agricultural surroundings. It has a thick, conical bill and a slightly larger head relative to its body. The bird’s song is a distinctive, jangling "metallic rattle" sound, often delivered from a perch like a fence post or wire. Corn buntings are commonly seen in open farmland, particularly in fields of grain, where they feed on seeds and insects.
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Local Nature Recovery Strategies and Big Chalk – where are we now?

Two years on, Local Nature Recovery Strategies are taking shape — and Big Chalk is helping turn shared priorities into joined-up action for nature.

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A grassy, slightly hilly landscape featuring several large chalk standing stones arranged in a circular formation. The ground has patches of dry grass and chalk. Trees and partially visible buildings appear in the background beneath a partly cloudy sky.
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The Last Chalk by Matthew Rosier

A stone circle, a shared moment, and chalk at its heart – uniting us around the story and future of our landscape.

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A sunny outdoor scene featuring grassy mounds, trees, and large standing stones. A person sits on a log in the foreground, while another walks along a path to the right. Additional logs are scattered on the ground, and two people are visible near the stones in the distance under a clear blue sky.
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Nature Calling – bringing artists into our chalk and limestone landscapes

From May to October 2025, Nature Calling brings communities and artists together to celebrate chalk landscapes through art, sound, and storytelling

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