Campaigning groups, friends and others who stand up for the countryside.
We collaborate with many groups and organisations with similar aims on specific campaigns, projects and events and are also seeking partners who may wish to sponsor specific activities or support us in other ways. We welcome approaches from those who want to enhance their own efforts by collaborating with us in some way.
If your organisation would like to work together to protect and enhance the Sussex countryside, or to capitalise on the countryside credentials of your own work please contact our Director Georgia Wrighton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you think you could benefit from our support and advice, please contact our office on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the attention of Lesley Wilson.
We can all be more effective working together to achieve our goals.
A
ARC (Adur & Rother Connections)
ARC promotes a rich and thriving river system where wildlife flourishes and where people value and enjoy the landscape, natural and cultural heritage
Working with landowners to protect, restore and reconnect wildlife habitats, improve water quality and eliminate non native invasive species.
They also aim to better connect the community to the catchment, through access improvements, engagement opportunities and interpretation of the natural and cultural heritage of the project area.
B
Brighton & Hove’s Wildlife Forum
Brighton and Hove’s Wildlife Forum shares information and experience to improve our knowledge on local nature among local wildlife groups
Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere
The first completely new Biosphere site in the UK established for almost forty years and the first ever in south-east England. The Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere was awarded this designation by UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council (ICC) of the ‘Man and the Biosphere’ (MAB) programme, which met in Sweden on11th June 2014. It joins a global network of more than 600 “world-class environments” in over 100 countries, and is one of only a handful worldwide to include a city.
International Biosphere Reserves have three Functions: conservation - of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic diversity at both a regional and global scale; development - economic and social development which is culturally and ecologically sustainable; and knowledge – environmental education, research and training to test and demonstrate innovative approaches to nature conservation and sustainable development.
The benefits of achieving international Biosphere status include:
- An integrated framework for conservation and sustainable development policies and initiatives, including linking up urban and rural areas Heightened profile of attaining a world-class brand, enabling increased marketing and funding opportunities
- Opportunities to attract and create new private and social sector enterprises and jobs , such as environmental industries and eco-tourism
- A driver of best practice in environmental management and development planning Scope to foster a stronger sense of community awareness, identity and pride in the local environment, including mainstreaming this in education
- Encouraging applied research by local universities as centres of excellence to address environmental conservation and sustainable development challenges Knowledge transfer encouraged through the international networks opened up
Bricycles
Bricycles is a member of a new alliance challenging more road building on the A27/A259.
C
Campaign for Better Transport
Works for transport that improves quality of life and reduces environmental impact.
CAGNE (Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions)
The CAGNE protest group formed of those affected by new Gatwick Airport flight paths over areas not previously flown over.
It aims to provide residents that find themselves suddenly under a noisy flight path with information and a forum to exchange information in protecting the value and quality of their life and homes.
CAGNE has the support of Parish Councils and works with Gatwick Areas Conservation Campaign.
https://sites.google.com/site/cagnegatwick/
Chichester College: Brindsbury
The Brindsbury Campus in the heart of the Sussex Downs specialises in land based courses. The college is set in 570 acres and includes woodland, a working farm, two lakes and stables.
www.chichester.ac.uk/About-Us/Getting-Here/Brinsbury-Campus
Chichester Society
The civic society for Chichester, founded in October 1973 at a public meeting called to protest against the wholesale demolition of parts of the city. Since then the Society has kept a watching brief on new development, organised meetings on items of topical interest and participated in public consultations organised by Chichester District Council.
City College Brighton & Hove - Journalism Courses
City College Brighton & Hove is a large general further education college in Brighton and Hove. Its main campus is at Pelham Street, Brighton. We have been working with students from the Journalism courses since 2011.
Combe Haven Defenders
Stop the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road.
combehavendefenders.wordpress.com
D
E
F
Friends of the Earth (Eastbourne)
Stands for: A beautiful world We depend on the planet, so let’s keep it in good shape; A good life; A healthy planet is one that works for people too; A positive relationship with the environment Acting together for the planet and everyone who lives on it.
FFBRA (Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association)
Throughout the South East every Parish Council confronted with a planning application for shale gas or oil exploration has opposed it.
A group of Balcombe residents set up the Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association (FFBRA) to provide a voice and support to those residents who object to the attempted shale gas exploration within the Parish of Balcombe.
Friends of Hollingbury and Burstead Woods
Looking after two areas of Woodland off Ditchling Road in Brighton this local group is upported by the Council’s Country Rangers. They hold monthly work sessions, clearing glades, encouraging wildlife, planting, litter picking and clearing paths.
G
GACC (The Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign)
Founded in 1968, GACC has as members around a hundred District and Parish Councils and amenity groups. They also have many individual members and supporters.
All are united in seeking to improve the environment around Gatwick and to reducing noise and pollution
H
Hands off Henfield
A group of like minded Henfield residents, who are by no means against all development, just the wrong development in the wrong places.
High Weald ANOB
The High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is situated in south-east England. Covering an area of 1,450 square kilometres, it extends across the counties of Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent.
I
The Ilex Conservation Group
Formed in 1983 after a severe storm, to protest about the planned falling of some 79 trees in the Avenue. We have spread our wings to defend not only the Avenue, but also the Goring Gap, and any associated planning nonsenses that impact the peace and tranquility of our Residents.
www.ferringvillage.co.uk/societies/5-ilex-conservation.htm
J
K
Keep the Ridge Green - Local Community Wildlife Group
A group of local volunteers who work in co-operation with Brighton & Hove City Council’s ranger service, to help look after local Downland so the wildlife can thrive and people enjoy this beautiful area.
KKWG (Keep Kirdford and Wisborough Green)
The residents of Kirdford and Wisborough Green are concerned that this idyllic location will be spoilt by a dirty industry which risks polluting our peace, our land, our water, our light and our air. They seek to protect the interests of the community who rely on the many rural activities in the immediate vicinity of the proposed site and the diverse wildlife they are fortunate enough to enjoy. Local businesses under threat include the rearing of dairy cattle and top class thoroughbred bloodstock. Other activities under threat include honey production, equestrian training, pubs and restaurants. -
L
LAMBS (Locals Against Mayfields Building Sprawl)
LAMBS was formed to fight proposals to build a 10,000 home new town just outside Henfield. The London property company, Mayfield Market Towns has earmarked 1200 acres of countryside between Henfield and Hurstpierpoint for the town - its High Street would be on marshland at Wineham. This development would be bigger than Burgess Hill or Haywards Heath - destroying the rural community and changing the landscape forever.
M
N
National Trust
A conservation organisation working in England, Wales and Northern Ireland founded in 1895 and given statutory powers, starting with the National Trust Act 1907. Historically the Trust tended to focus on English country houses, which still make up the largest part of its holdings, but it also protects historic landscapes such as in the Lake District, historic urban properties, and nature reserves.
According to its website:
"We're a charity that works to preserve and protect historic places and spaces – for ever, for everyone."[1]
The trust owns many heritage properties, including historic houses and gardens, industrial monuments and social history sites. It is one of the largest landowners in the United Kingdom, owning many beauty spots, most of which are open to the public free of charge. It is the largest membership organisation in the United Kingdom, and one of the largest UK charities by both income and assets.
Natural England - South East
Natural England is here to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and for the economic health of rural areas. The region comprises Oxfordshire, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
O
P
Plumpton College
A further and higher education college in East Sussex running a wide range of courses in a variety of land based and related subjects.
Q
R
Railfuture Sussex & Coast way
The independent campaign for a better passenger and freight network.
An integral part of Railfuture's London and South East regional branch.
www.railfuture.org.uk/Sussex+and+Coastway
Ramblers (Sussex)
Our areas help local people enjoy walking and protect the places we all love to walk. Areas help look after paths and green spaces, open up new places to explore and act as the leading voice on walking matters near you. They also support our local groups to organise regular walks led by local experts – a great way to get outside, make new friends and discover how walking boosts your health and happiness. –
RSPB (East & West Sussex)
The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. They rely upon memberships and donations to fund their work. ‘Nature is amazing - help us keep it that way’.
www.rspb.org.uk/nearyou/index.aspx?c=east+sussex
S
Save our Deans
Ovingdean, Woodingdean and Rottingdean communities unite against the plans to squeeze hundreds of homes on green land between two Brighton villages.
Save Houghton Forest
savehoughtonforest.com/Save_Houghton_Forest/Welcome.html
South Coast Alliance for Transport and the Environment (SCATE)
Challenging new roadbuilding on the A27/A259
Shoreham Wordfest
Shoreham WordFest is an annual celebration of words in prose, songs and poetry, based in Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex. w
South Downs Network
The Network is an independent, voluntary network of conservation, environmental and community organisations with an interest in the South Downs. Established in 2010 after the success of the (now disbanded) South Downs Campaign in achieving a South Downs National Park. Although the National Park brings many benefits, it is still necessary for voluntary groups to both lobby and support the new Park Authority in the work that it does. They are best placed to do this as a whole, which is why the Network has been established. The Network is a useful way of sharing information between members and encouraging joint working. It provides a forum for like-minded organisations to develop new ideas and thinking to improve the South Downs National Park.
South Downs Society
The National Park Society for the South Downs is the only charity dedicated to protecting the whole of the National Park and its heritage. The guardians of this landscape; from Winchester and the steep hanger country of Hampshire, embracing the heaths of the Western Weald, across Sussex to Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters.
Independent & member led the Society was founded in 1923 and are as passionate today, as when they were founded, that the South Downs should be available for the enjoyment of all as well as future generations.
South East Water
Supplying drinking water to 2.1 million customers in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire in the South East of England.
Sussex Wildlife Trust
The Sussex Wildlife Trust is the leading nature conservation organisation covering East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove
www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk
SWOT
Save Wealden from Overdevelopment Team is a campaigning group; join it on Faceboook.
www.facebook.com/groups/137627436595082/
T
U
University of Brighton
Faculty of Arts - Sustainable Design
Engaged in rethinking the parameters of good design in an unsustainable age, finding new ways to contribute to a new, dynamic emerging field. Working together alongside thought-leaders in ecology, psychology, design and business the aim is to accumulate the knowledge, skills and confidence to become effective agents of change. Creating innovative, dynamic and sustainable solutions through design,
University of Sussex
School of Life Sciences
A dynamic school with researchers working at the cutting edge of issues of fundamental importance to life on earth the department has a worldwide reputation. Based at the Falmer campus situated in the Brighton and Lewes Downs UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, next to the South Downs National Park, and close to Brighton and the coast, which provides the perfect location for study and research in Biology, Ecology & Environment and Zoology.