A huge funding boost is set to help restore precious wetlands across the South Downs.
National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £1.7 million to the South Downs National Park's Downs to the Sea initiative, which will increase and restore a network of vital wetlands across and around the park.
Downs to the Sea will help restore a number of internationally designated wildlife sites, such as RSPB Pulborough Brooks and Pagham Harbour, near Chichester.
The initiative will restore 15 ponds in the national park to create biodiversity hotspots and support the movement of wildlife between sites, increasing resilience to a warming climate.
Activities are also planned to connect people with waterways, including volunteering to help rivers and using water's benefits for health and wellbeing.
It comes as wetlands are under increasing threat from climate change, water usage, pollution, flooding, drought, and fragmentation.
Some two thirds of all freshwater species are supported by ponds and yet the UK has lost half of all its ponds since 1900, SDNPA said.
In the South Downs National Park, a survey of pond locations showed that almost 70 per cent are in poor condition, or have disappeared from the landscape, resulting in large swathes of downland where no surface water is available for wildlife.
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The initiative is a partnership between the SDNPA, South Downs National Park Trust, RSPB, Brighton and Hove City Council, Western Sussex Rivers Trust and Writing Our Legacy.
Tim Slaney, the interim chief executive of the SDNPA, said: “This significant funding is wonderful news for the South Downs National Park, its surrounding communities and the wider area.
“With a network of rivers, chalk streams, ponds, wetlands, coastline and a major aquifer, the South Downs is already of a landscape of many important ‘blue’ spaces that support both nature and people.
“Yet, like so many parts of England, these water environments are under increasing threat and it’s absolutely vital that we work together to protect and enhance this precious resource, in terms of quality, scarcity and where appropriate, access, to enhance our wellbeing.
“With this funding and alongside our partners, we’re looking forward to restoring and improving vital wetlands, ponds and rivers, increasing the landscape’s resilience to climate change.
“We also want to increase awareness of the pivotal role that water plays in all our lives, connecting people to water for its health and wellbeing benefits and also helping to upskill local communities to be able to look after these watercourses.”
Stuart McLeod, the director of the National Lottery Heritage Fund for London and the South of England, said: “Talking with National Lottery players, we know that nature and the environment are incredibly important to them. That’s why we’re pleased to fund South Downs National Park Trust to deliver this project that will not only restore vital wetlands and ponds, but bring more people to appreciate and care for their waterways.
"At The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we’re incredibly proud to be playing a role in ensuring our natural heritage is safeguarded for generations to come."
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