Steyning Downland Scheme Botany surveys start again in May.

Chalk grassland can be one of the most species-rich habitats to be found anywhere.  There can be up to 50 species of plants in a square metre and these in turn can support a wide range of insects and other invertebrates.  Once this wonderful rich turf covered large areas of the Sussex Downs and was maintained by close grazing by sheep.  With changing agricultural practices and the decline of grazing, much of it has been lost across the county.   Without grazing, a few coarse grass species rapidly become dominant, shading out other species of flowers, then scrub invades and finally woodland may develop.  This process had been playing out on Steyning Downland Scheme since the 1960s.  Conservation initiatives on Steyning Downland Scheme have been aimed at halting and reversing this process.  They include grazing by cattle and 'scrub bashing' by volunteers.

Since 2010 groups of volunteers have been carrying out botany surveys on Steyning Coombe and the two sides of the Rifle Range to measure the effect of changes on the flora.  The good news is that over 150 species of plants have been recorded on the three areas and some of the key positive chalk grassland indicator species have been doing well.  The signs are that we are heading in the right direction, but we need to maintain the monitoring effort in order to keep a regular watch on progress.

The volunteers are a mixed-ability group with some expert botanists and some beginners.   We welcome new volunteers.   It is a serious piece of citizen science, but it is also fun and a great way to learn about wild flowers and how to identify them.

Three dates are planned this summer (but you do not have to come every time): Friday 27 May, 10:00 - 12:30; Thursday 23 June, 18:30 - 20:30; and Thursday 21 July, 10:00 - 12:30.

If you would like to take part, please contact Matthew Thomas on 01903 817996 or sds@wistonestate.co.uk