Celebrating 75 years of National Parks

Seventy-five years ago National Parks were created as special places where people and nature could come together, bringing hope and joy to a nation scarred by war.

Now, 75 years on and to celebrate the anniversaryon 16 December, the South Downs National Park is helping 75 schools to add beautiful wildlife havens to their school grounds.

Schools across the National Park and surrounding areas will be able to apply for grants of up to £1,000.

Find out more here.

When you wish upon a star...

T’was the night before Christmas and the twinkle of the endless skyscape above couldn’t be more festive!

Winter stargazing season is upon us and, provided you wrap up and take a warming drink, there are few things more uplifting on a clear night than a walk in the International Dark Sky Reserve.

There’s so much to see, explains Elinor Newman, “Queen of the Darkness” who organises the Dark Skies Festival in the National Park. Find out more here.

Got a great photo of the night sky? Enter our astrophotography contest before 16 January!

Best Christmas walks with a view

There’s something so uplifting about walking in a big wide-open space with a stunning view – and what better time to enjoy it than Christmas?

The festive season is a wonderful time to recharge the batteries and enjoy some precious downtime with family and friends. A wintry walk is also a great way to dust off those Christmas cobwebs, enjoy a blast of fresh air and get the creaking body moving after one too many mince pies and stuffing sandwiches!

Find out six walks that are real Christmas crackers!

Life-giving trees to be planted this winter

More than 20,000 tree plantings and a new woodland the size of five football pitches are part of a major nature recovery drive this winter by the National Park.

Among the tree planting efforts will be over 400 new disease-resistant elms, helping to return the iconic English elm to the South Downs landscape after it was decimated by disease.

Scores of trees are going into the ground at 20 new sites across Sussex and Hampshire.

Find out more here.

An early Christmas gift

The National Park has received an early Christmas presentwith a big funding boost from OSB Group.

The business is donating a total of £90,000 towards much-needed nature recovery in the National Park, as well as helping more children and young people have access to learning opportunities in the inspiring landscape. Learn more here.

Climate grants are back!

Grants of up to £5,000 are now up for grabs for projects across Lewes district that help climate action, nature and sustainability.

The “Community Pitch” returns for its second year to support projects that help the environment and reduce carbon footprint. Learn more here about how to apply.

Watch this uplifting film about work in the Ouse Valley to create new habitats to help amphibians thrive!

Did the Romans make wine in South Downs?

Many of us will be raising a toast this festive season as we gather round with family and friends and it may even be a bottle of South Downs bubbly!

Anooshka Rawden, the National Park’s Cultural Heritage Lead, takes a look at the history of vineyards in the South East region.

Give a gift that restores nature

Are you struggling for gift inspiration this Christmas and looking for something a little bit different?

Did you know you can actually buy your very own piece of nature restoration that’s guaranteed for 30 years?

As part of the National Park’s Voluntary Biodiversity Credits scheme, we’re offering a chance to fund the creation of a new woodland habitat. Learn more here.

Last chance to get calendar for Christmas gift!

Our all-new calendar features iconic views of the National Park taken from our annual photo competition.

Copies can be bought by visiting the South Downs Centre, in Midhurst, or Seven Sisters Visitor Centre, at Exceat, near Seaford.

Costing just £9.99, the calendar is also available to buy online or by telephoning 01730 814810.

Order online here: www.southdowns.gov.uk/south-downs-calendar/

A big THANK YOU to all volunteers!

As 2024 rounds to a close, we wanted to say a big thank you to volunteers and all who have helped to care for the South Downs National Park this year.

This year more than 200 volunteers recorded an amazing 8,492 hours across activities including practical conservation, wildlife and hedgerow surveys, events and public engagement.

Many more have been involved in either Youth Action days, family volunteer days or microvolunteering, such as picking up litter.

Yvette Flynn, the National Park's Volunteer Coordinator, said: "The skills, time and ambassadorship that volunteers share with us, has an immense impact on the work we do. What all volunteers have in common is the desire to share their knowledge and enthusiasm to help conserve the special qualities of our landscape and improve and promote the landscape, wildlife, public access and heritage of the National Park.

"They have made it possible to support and deliver a vast range of work on the ground that could not otherwise have been achieved."

Thank you to all who help look after this amazing landscape!