Lead Organisation
The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs, & Northants
Project description
This project will breathe new life into 11 precious chalk grassland sites across the North Chilterns through targeted conservation grazing and decisive scrub control. By investing in specialist equipment, we will unlock a step-change in how these landscapes are managed — enabling more effective livestock movement, faster and safer scrub clearance, and a smarter, more resilient approach to conservation.
The impact will be transformational. Grazing will extend into areas previously constrained by permanent fencing, while the need to burn scrub arisings will be removed altogether. Over the 10 to 20 year lifespan of this equipment, the project will deliver a substantial and lasting increase in chalk grassland in favourable condition — securing these rare habitats for wildlife now, and for future generations.
Project location
The project spans over 200 hectares of chalk grassland across 11 sites in the North Chilterns, including Totternhoe Quarry, Pegsdon Hills, Blow’s Downs, Barton Hills and Knocking Hoe.
Together, these sites sit at the northern end of the Big Chalk Programme area, playing a vital role in strengthening landscape-scale connectivity and biodiversity recovery across the Chilterns National Landscape.
Fit with the Big Chalk Programme
This project is strongly aligned with Big Chalk’s core mission: restoring priority chalk grassland, reconnecting fragmented habitats, and tackling urgent threats such as scrub encroachment and increasing wildfire risk. By opening up new grazing areas and improving management efficiency, the project will accelerate species recovery and build the long-term resilience these sensitive chalk landscapes need to thrive.
Wider social and environmental considerations
This investment will multiply the impact of every staff member and volunteer involved, unlocking new opportunities for communities to play an active role in restoring chalk grassland. The result will be powerful, long-lasting gains for biodiversity, stronger climate resilience, and thriving chalk grassland species — safeguarded as a shared natural legacy 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.