Wilder Horsham District

By Henri Brocklebank

Director of Conservation

Sussex Wildlife Trust are delighted that this evening a new five year partnership between Sussex Wildlife Trust and Horsham District Council (HDC) was agreed by the members of HDC.  A new project called ‘Wilder Horsham District’ will take a district wide approach to the wildlife crisis that sees insects and other species in catastrophic decline across our landscape. ‘Wilder Horsham District’ will enable Sussex Wildlife Trust to work with landowners, partnerships and community groups to build an ecological network throughout the whole district. 

Tor Lawrence, Chief Executive of Sussex Wildlife Trust said ‘Wilder Horsham District enables us to have a really meaningful relationship with a Local Authority who recognises that it has a role to play in nature’s recovery.  We are excited at the opportunities that the next five years will bring.  Horsham District has remarkable jewels in its crown including Warnham, Knepp and the Arun Valley, we need to make sure that wildlife can thrive across this landscape and that everyone can be part of this journey.’ 

As well as building landscape resilience Sussex Wildlife Trust staff will be working closely with Horsham District Council staff and members to ensure that staff are informed about the wildlife issues, both inspiring and challenging, that they face and that HDC policies and practice reflect best practice for wildlife. 

Horsham District Council still needs to meet its housing targets and Sussex Wildlife Trust will be maintaining its independent voice for wildlife raising concerns about the impact of development on wildlife.