Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs

Many ancient woods in Sussex are neglected. They're now often small, fragmented and vulnerable to the pressures of development, invasive species and climate change.

Without our help, there is a risk they'll be lost forever.

But we have a plan to rescue them. We are working with partners, landowners and communities across a project area of 400 square kilometres from Pulborough in the West to the fringes of Lewes in the East. Our work will:

• improve the condition and management of the fragmented ancient woodland
• transform the landscape to provide a corridor to reconnect these amazing areas
• improve biodiversity, allowing wildlife to thrive
• ensure local woodland owners are trained in management skills
• create a resilient landscape that can cope with the effects of climate change.

What we're doing

With our partners, we're leading work that will transform the landscape that sits between the South Downs National Park and the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

We've received funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for initial plans, and then at the end of 2021, we hope to unlock further funding to deliver a full and ambitious programme that will bring life back to life these forgotten woods.

Our plans

• Train local woodland managers in the traditional skills of coppicing, hedge laying and charcoal production.
• Work with woodland owners to improve the condition of ancient woods with a focus on biodiversity.
• Work with schools to get more children learning in a woodland environment.
• Record all the ancient, veteran and notable trees in the area.
• Write new management plans that include the care of old trees.
• Create new woodland habitat through natural regeneration. 
• Ensure all local people have access to woods.

Our partners

Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs would be impossible to deliver without our partners, Action in Rural Sussex, Sussex Wildlife Trust and Small Woods Association. We're also getting support from the Environment Agency and Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust.

How you can get involved

We are working with landowners, community groups and schools to save Sussex’s Lost Woods. To get involved please contact lostwoods@woodlandtrust.org.uk.

Landowners

If you own a small area of ancient woodland (less than 3ha) or have old trees on your land, we can work with you to restore these fragmented pockets and to protect ancient and veteran trees.

Communities

We work with community and school groups. If you're already part of one or would like to set up a new one, we're keen to hear from you.

Training in woodland management

Developing local skills in woodland management is key to this project. And we're developing new training opportunities for owners and managers of ancient woodland.