Creating New Homes for Nature.

The area around the Steyning Downland Scheme Gateway building has been transformed into a wildlife haven, thanks to a grant from the Wilson Memorial Trust.

The Gateway, which is situated off Mouse Lane, has been given a green makeover with lots of different habitats for minibeasts.
One of the central features is a large Bug Mansion, created by local artist Mike Kelly and put together with the help of the Steyning Woodcraft Folk.

A new pond has also been dug and a wildflower meadow created thanks to students from Steyning Grammar School.
The area at the back of the Gateway building is now a woodchip 'Learning Circle' with large oak seats, which will be used by groups and schools.

This month some colour will be added by local glass artist, Debbie Forsdyke, who will be create colourful glass insect paintings with pupils from Upper Beeding and Steyning Primary Schools, to displayed on rustic wooden posts around the area.

'Providing a range of habitats for local wildlife is really vital, especially as nature gets push to the edges of modern life.' explained Eleanor Gloster, Events Manager at the SDS, 'The new area is fantastic and we delighted with the result, which is thanks to many hours of hard work from volunteers and students.'

The area will be used by the new Steyning Saplings pre-school group, which runs on Wednesday mornings, and is also available for local schools, groups and nurseries to use for wildlife activities.

Please contact sds@wistonestate.co.uk or see: www.steyningdownland.org for more information.