Lead organisation
Partner organisations
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Project description
This project is a bold, landscape-scale effort to create 300 acres of thriving, interconnected chalk habitat across the Upper Test Valley. By restoring 24.6 hectares of species-rich grassland, installing 2,350 metres of stock fencing, and planting 800 native trees and shrubs—including elm, birch, whitebeam, blackthorn, crab apple, and wild pear—we are rooting this landscape in its ecological heritage while building resilience for the future.
Key habitats and corridors are being carefully restored, with hedgerows reconnected between The Hangings and Bere Meadows SSSI, and a Logic MSH 320 Seed Harvester deployed to power ongoing grassland expansion. At a landscape scale, these actions weave together a rich tapestry of habitats, safeguard the rare chalk stream ecosystem of the River Test, preserve cultural and historic character, and transform the experience for walkers following these ancient rights of way.
Through collaboration, practical action, and strategic habitat creation, this project demonstrates what’s possible when nature, heritage, and community are brought together to deliver a lasting legacy across the chalk landscape.
Project location
The project area lies within the Upper Test Valley, a key chalk landscape that supports rare habitats and species.
Fit with the Big Chalk Programme
This project strengthens the ecological fabric of the Upper Test Valley, reconnecting Bere Mill Meadows SSSI, ancient woodlands, and the River Test chalk stream through targeted habitat restoration and parkland enhancement. By delivering landscape-scale connectivity and thriving chalk grassland, it embodies the Big Chalk vision—uniting people and nature to restore resilient ecosystems and create a lasting legacy for wildlife and communities alike.
Wider social and environmental considerations
This project delivers lasting gains for both nature and people. By creating species-rich grassland, planting parkland trees, and restoring hedgerows, we are building lifelines for birds, invertebrates, and pollinators, while strengthening the health of the River Test chalk stream.
Our investment in the Logic MSH 320 Seed Harvester extends this impact far beyond the initial 24.6 hectares, powering ongoing habitat creation across the valley. At a landscape scale, we are weaving together fragmented habitats, restoring ecological connectivity, and driving towards our ambitious goal of 300 acres of thriving chalk grassland—a resilient, living ecosystem that will inspire and sustain communities and wildlife for generations to come.
The Big Chalk programme and Nature Recovery Fund is funded through the Protected Landscapes Partnership, supported by Defra.
Do you have a project that could strengthen the future of southern England’s iconic chalk and limestone landscapes?
The Big Chalk programme brings together a dynamic suite of partner-led projects, each unique in its focus, area, and partnerships but sharing a commitment to our collective vision.
If your project contributes to the Big Chalk mission, we invite you to register it as a Big Chalk Project. Registered projects gain access to networking, shared learning, and best practice—alongside the Big Chalk brand, boosting your profile and connecting you to a powerful, growing network of partners.
Together, these projects form a united effort to secure the future of southern England’s chalk and limestone landscapes, making a lasting impact for nature and communities.