Deneway's Wild Future

Deneway's Wild Future is about expanding access to a unique green corridor running alongside the main railway line into Brighton. 

The Deneway Nature Reserve connects wildlife to downland adjoining the city, and for local people it provides a significant door-step opportunity to engage more closely with the natural environment. 

Pond-dipping at the Deneway (c) Sophie Atkinson
Pond-dipping at the Deneway (c) Sophie Atkinson

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Deneway’s Wild Future is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to fund our community engagement and habitat improvement work at the urban Deneway Nature Reserve in Brighton.

The project will provide more opportunities for the local community to get involved and ensure that the nature reserve is in the best condition for biodiversity to flourish as a home for wildlife and a corridor for species to move through the urban landscape. 

This will also be a site for learning; providing pathways into conservation, whether this be as a volunteer (e.g. citizen scientist), a trainee engagement officer, ecologist or Forest School teaching practitioner. 

The project will inspire and enable local people of all ages to take lasting, practical and well-informed community-based action for nature.

The Deneway is home to Badgers, Foxes, Sparrowhawks, Slow Worms, Toads and the rare White-letter Hairstreak Butterfly. 

Due to it's location, size and sensitive wildlife the site is locked. Access is available accompanied by staff members whilst working with the project.

White-letter Hairstreak (c) Bob Eade
One of The Deneway's rarer species, the White-letter Hairstreak (c) Bob Eade

This funding will allow us to manage and improve the site for wildlife and provide;

  • Improved accessibility for those with mobility issues
  • Training for two trainee community engagement officers
  • Opportunities for the community to get involved with regular conservation tasks
  • Ongoing habitat improvement works
  • Development of our Youth Ranger project
  • A site for local schools to use for outdoor education sessions
  • Forest School training
  • A chance for local groups to work with us and learn about nature
Youth rangers surveying for retiles (c) Sophie Atkinson
Youth rangers surveying for retiles (c) Sophie Atkinson

It is early days, but there are a few ways to get involved:

  • Youth Rangers, 16 – 25 year olds, meet on site twice a month - see here
  • We are recruiting for a Trainee Community Engagement Officer - see here
Slow worm (c) Oliver Wilks
The Deneway provides a refuge for Slow worms (c) Oliver Wilks

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.

Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities. Visit: www.heritagefund.org.uk, follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and search for #NationalLottery #HeritageFund.