Wealden Launches 5-Year Wildlife Recovery Partnership

Wildlife across Wealden District is getting a lifeline thanks to a new partnership designed to help nature recover and flourish in places where it has struggled to survive.

Wealden District Council and Sussex Wildlife Trust have launched Wilder Wealden, a five-year project that will reconnect fragmented habitats across the district. The initiative brings together farmers, landowners, community groups, and local organizations to create wildlife corridors linking grasslands, wetlands, heathlands, and coastal areas.

Wealden is home to nationally and internationally important natural habitats, but many have become isolated islands where species struggle to survive and adapt. The new project will work at a landscape scale to identify opportunities to enhance, expand, and reconnect these critical areas.

The partnership will support local people and organizations with specialist guidance and a rolling Nature Recovery Award fund. These resources will help communities take meaningful action for wildlife while building landscapes that are more resilient to climate change.

"Wealden's countryside, woodlands, wetlands and green spaces are part of what makes the district such a special place to live," said Councillor Paul Coleshill, the council's Portfolio Holder for Climate Change. "Wilder Wealden is about working with our communities, landowners and partners to give nature more room to recover, while creating long-term benefits for our residents, wildlife and future generations to come."

The Ripple Effect goes beyond helping wildlife survive. Connected habitats allow species to move freely, adapt to changing conditions, and build stronger populations. These restored landscapes also deliver benefits for people, from improved air and water quality to spaces for recreation and wellbeing. Climate resilience strengthens too, as healthy ecosystems better withstand extreme weather and environmental changes.

Sussex Wildlife Trust Chief Executive Nic Scothern said the project represents a lasting investment in community wellbeing and the natural environment. The initiative builds on successful landscape-scale nature recovery projects already underway across Sussex.

Details about how landowners, farmers, and community groups can participate will be announced as the project develops.