Wildlife

Wildlife

Our wildlife projects have had a huge impact on the Central Chilterns landscape

CCC infographic for landscape impact

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Landscape Connections

Landscape Connections, led by Chilterns National Landscape staff and Chiltern Rangers, aimed to build on well-established and managed sites and make physical connections (or corridors) between them, benefitting wildlife and landscape conservation. The project worked with farmers, estate owners and conservation organisations.

Through this project, the Central Chilterns Farmer Cluster was set up, to discuss important issues and agree on cross-farm strategies and initiatives. The Central Chilterns Farmer Cluster has now been set up as a CIC, a brilliant legacy for Chalk, Cherries and Chairs and we hope the group can continue to work together effectively.

Rough Around the Edges and Chilterns Orchards

Both Rough Around the Edges and Chilterns Orchards were led by our partner organisation, Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT). Both projects aimed to support community groups who needed advice, training and resources to create, restore and improve local, small areas of habitat they have. Working with groups who manage community gardens, orchards, woodlands, churchyards, allotments, ponds and meadow areas, these projects helped ensure improving and connecting little islands of wildlife rich areas can help conserve and protect wildlife.

As an outcome of these projects, BBOWT has created Team Wilder, encouraging people to join a community to take action for nature, as well as offering guidance on how to best care for nature and wildlife.

Chilterns ANOB
Chilterns ANOB

Tracking the Impact

Tracking the Impact is an exciting landscape-scale wildlife surveying programme, led by Chilterns National Landscape. The project started in the Central Chilterns and was expanded into the River Chess Catchment area. The project currently surveys 78 km squares for plants, butterflies and birds. The data we have and will continue to gain from the fantastic volunteers who survey the squares will be used to track trends across the landscape over time and inform practical woodland, grassland and farmland habitat management projects.

Water in a Dry Landscape

Following a comprehensive sampling and survey programme involving volunteers, Water in a Dry Landscape has delivered chalk stream riparian restoration/habitat management along nearly 700 metres of the Horsenden Brook.  The project has raised the awareness of the escarpment chalk streams, amongst farmers, and Non-Governmental Organisations that will lead to wider and greater emphasis on the need for active watercourse management on future works and plans.

The project was led by the Chilterns National Landscape team, in partnership with the River Thame Conservation Trust who have now developed their own Chalk Stream strategy.

 

Chilterns ANOB
Chilterns ANOB

Chilterns New Shoots

New Shoots is a year-long nature, wildlife and conservation programme giving young people a fantastic chance to work alongside partners such as Chiltern Rangers, BBOWT, the National Trust and the Chiltern Society. Participants visit beautiful places in the Chilterns and get involved in helping to manage habitats and address climate change.

The Chilterns National Landscape and Chiltern Rangers continue to run the project.

 

Trainees

We kickstarted two peoples’ conservation careers by funding a 12-month internship with Chiltern Rangers. The trainees learnt first-hand about wildlife and gained experience of conservation tasks. These trainees were both given full time roles with the Chiltern Rangers after their traineeships, a brilliant step in their conservation career for them, and a great legacy of the project.

Izzy and Jack have worked with over 2,000 people, be that school children, one-off volunteers or our regulars who attend our sessions week in and week out.  Through feedback from our volunteers, we know that Jack and Izzy have made a difference”

Chilterns ANOB
Chilterns ANOB
Chilterns ANOB

Farmland wildlife

The farmland, grassland, woods and hedgerows of the Chilterns are brimming with wildlife, from brown hares bounding across the fields to skylarks filling the skies with song, bumblebees buzzing among cornfield flowers, to mice scuttling under hedges. Explore our farmland habitats and wildlife through the seasons and find out what to spot and what’s rare.
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Follow the Countryside Code

Help us to protect the Chilterns National Landscape when you’re out and about by following the Countryside Code and the rules for the site you are visiting. Please respect others around you and those who care for and work in this special landscape.