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Conservation Management
Environmental Community Groups & Participation
Worthing's countryside is important for its landscape beauty, as well as its variety of attractive habitats. The Council's Parks Section encourages community involvement in the conservation management of its countryside areas within the town’s open spaces.
There are three main groups:- Friends of Whitebeam Woods, Worthing Conservation Volunteers and Friends of Heene Cemetery who undertake task days throughout the year to enhance wildlife value, improve access and build a sense of community ownership. The Groups are affiliated to the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and Sussex Wildlife Trust.
In addition to these Groups there are several Forums that meet in Worthing, which all have similar aims and objectives, to improve the environmental aspects of the area.
The Council considers environmental education to be of vital importance in helping to shape the future of the town. Educational programmes encourage the public to be aware of and concerned about, the local environment.
Campaigns have included an Environmental Week Trailer, Buy Recycled and Car Free Day.
Schools are encouraged to maintain and develop their district contribution to sustainable development through waste reduction, energy conservation and promotion of walk to school campaigns. The Council assists the education Authority with school visits, assistance with local projects and student placements.
Downland Open Space
The Council owns about 175 hectares, 430 acres of downland on the outskirts of the town. Various bodies such as the National Trust, Sussex Downs Conservation Board, Sussex Wildlife Trust, West Sussex County Council, The Environment Agency, English Nature and British Trust for Conservation Volunteers are involved from time to time in the management of these sites.
Worthing Conservation Volunteers
A small group of committed wildlife enthusiasts that help to manage countryside areas where the town meets the South Downs.
Their activities include footpath management and coppicing carried out on fortnightly task days.
The groups details can be obtained from the Parks Section or directly from Peter Bandy on (01903) 244691.
Town to Downs
In support of Shopmobility, Worthing Parks Section provides accommodation and assistance to this project which is based at Hill Barn Golf Course.
The scheme enables anyone with mobility problems to enjoy the local countryside using accompanied, electrically propelled vehicles to access specially selected routes on the South Downs.
For details of the scheme please contact Shopmobility on (01903) 820980 or at shopmobility@freezone.co.uk
Friends of Chalk Pit Woods
Inspired by the Woodland Trust and the Trees of Time and Place Initiative a group has been formed that is affiliated to the Sussex Wildlife Trust to continue the development of the 'Chalk Pit' Wood. The area has been enlarged further with planting on old tip land to the east of the wood. Ash, Oak, Beech, Hazel and various shrub species have been planted. The area provides valuable wildlife habitats and local amenity woodland close to the Town.
The groups also manage an allotment on which tree seedlings and donated trees are grown on for planting in the woodland and elsewhere in the Borough.
On an area of existing semi-natural wooland adjacent to 'Chalk Pit' Woods the group undertakes woodland management tasks.
For details of this group please contact Tony Holmes on (01903) 532359.
Friends of Whitebeam Woods
For details of the conservation work at Whitebeam Woods please click here.
Friends of Heene Cemetery
For details of the conservation work at Heene Cemetery please click here.
The Countryside Agency
For details of The Countryside Agency please click here.
Contact Information
Address Details
Parks Section
Leisure and Cultural Services
Town Hall, Chapel Road,
Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1HQ.
Telephone/Fax Details
Tel: (01903) 239999
Fax: (01903) 221087
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