Led by Natural England, the North Chilterns Landscape Partnership is a growing alliance of landowners, conservationists, and local leaders, working together to drive transformative change for nature across the northern reaches of the Chilterns National Landscape.

Rooted in collaboration and ambition, this new partnership brings together Natural England, local authorities, the National Trust, Wildlife Trusts, the Zoological Society of London, and many more. Together, we’re committed to restoring nature at scale—connecting habitats, supporting sustainable land management, and unlocking the full potential of this precious chalk landscape.

Our work is grounded in national and global goals—from halting species decline and achieving the 30x30 pledge, to delivering Local Nature Recovery Strategies and climate resilience.

Through five focus areas—People and Nature, Land Managers, Landscape and Heritage, Nature Recovery, and Green Growth—we’re aligning effort, shaping policy, and delivering practical action on the ground.

Since our inaugural meeting in early 2024, we’ve built rapid momentum. Our five working groups now meet regularly, identifying shared priorities, coordinating delivery, and supporting each other to take action—whether that’s on the Clappers Escarpment’s steep slopes or in strategic discussions around green finance and future funding.

We’re creating the conditions for nature to thrive again—expanding and connecting chalk grasslands, scrub, and woodland mosaics. We’re tackling fragmentation head-on, making space for species to move and adapt, and recognising that cultural heritage and biodiversity go hand in hand in this ancient landscape.

This is a partnership in action: bold, locally rooted, and aligned with the wider Big Chalk vision. Together, we’re restoring the chalk from the ground up—bringing nature back into the heart of the North Chilterns.

Project location

The North Chilterns Landscape Partnership is focused on a distinctive and ecologically vital stretch of landscape at the northern edge of the Chilterns National Landscape, encompassing the chalk hills and valleys around Luton and centred on the Clappers Escarpment. This dramatic eight-mile ridge runs from Sundon Hills SSSI in the west to Knocking Hoe National Nature Reserve in the east, taking in key sites like Galley & Warden Hills SSSI along the way. It’s a corridor of exceptional natural and cultural richness—where rare chalk grasslands, beech woodlands, and chalk springs thrive alongside Iron Age hill forts, medieval field systems, and ancient trackways.

This landscape is both ancient and alive. Mesolithic tools unearthed near Pegsdon Hill tell of human presence since the last Ice Age, while today, its slopes and valleys support priority habitats and species, forming a critical link in the wider Chilterns chalk network. The area flows from steep, species-rich scarps into lowland valleys shaped by arable farmland, chalk streams, wet meadows, and woodlands—home to skylarks, orchids, and thriving communities.

By focusing on this high-opportunity landscape, the North Chilterns Partnership is reconnecting fragmented habitats, restoring nature at scale, and embedding deep local knowledge into regional strategies like the Local Nature Recovery Strategies for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. It’s a living example of how place-based partnerships can drive forward Big Chalk’s vision for a thriving, resilient chalk landscape.

Contribution to Big Chalk

The North Chilterns Landscape Partnership is bringing the Big Chalk vision to life in one of the most ecologically and culturally valuable parts of the Chilterns. By focusing on the Clappers Escarpment—a high-opportunity corridor of chalk grassland, scrub, and woodland—the partnership is restoring and reconnecting fragmented habitats, enabling species to move more freely, and building a more resilient landscape for the future.

This is nature recovery at scale, rooted in place and powered by partnership. With nationally important sites like Knocking Hoe and Galley & Warden Hills at its heart, and deep connections to the people and history of the area, the project is increasing the coverage and connectivity of priority habitats across the chalk. Ancient hill forts, medieval trackways, and rare species all coexist in this richly layered landscape—making it a flagship example of how ecological and cultural restoration go hand in hand.

The North Chilterns Landscape Partnership’s collaborative approach—bringing together landowners, local authorities, the Chilterns National Landscape team, community groups, and national bodies—mirrors the spirit of Big Chalk. By aligning with key national targets like the 30x30 commitment, Local Nature Recovery Strategies, the Environment Act, and the Chilterns Nature Recovery Plan, the partnership is helping to deliver meaningful progress for biodiversity, climate resilience, and the protection of our shared natural heritage across the southern chalk.

A scenic view of a grassy field with wildflowers in bloom, featuring two large trees with dense foliage on the right side. The background shows a distant town or cityscape under a clear blue sky, with rolling hills and scattered trees.

"A serene forest path with a dirt trail covered in fallen leaves, surrounded by tall trees with lush green foliage. The tree branches form a natural canopy overhead, creating a tunnel-like effect along the path. The scene is peaceful and inviting, suggesting a quiet walk through nature."

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.