Wildways Project
In this section
Wildways in the Community
The Wildways Project extends far beyond the land owned by Horsham District Council and creating an effective nature recovery network will involve connecting private land, gardens, schools, Parish Council owned land and highway verges.
Across the District there are lots of groups and organisations that can provide residents with more information about improving their local environment.
Horsham Green Spaces Forum
Set up in 2022, Horsham Green Spaces Forum, consists of 20 organisations with an interest and involvement in the town’s green spaces.
The forum aims to:
* Create a network between similar minded groups looking after green spaces
* Encourage connectivity of wildlife and green and blue (river) corridors
* Protect green spaces
* Promote the benefits of green spaces
* Protect the quality and maintenance of the natural environment in our area.
Members include representatives from a range of friends groups – from large sites such as Warnham Nature Reserve, to pocket parks like New Street Gardens, the Horsham Society, Transition Horsham, Horsham Green Gym and Horsham in Bloom.
Horsham Green Spaces Forum are also looking to work with school and other local landowners to enhance their green spaces.
To discuss this further and find out more about their work, please visit Horsham Green Spaces Forum Facebook page.
BilliGreen
BilliGreen are Billingshurst's network for nature and the environment.
Since its formation in 2020, the group's aim is to connect people to nature and the environment with practical, local actions in Billingshurst.
BilliGreen are members of the Billingshurst Community Partnership and have taken an active role in implementing action to reduce mowing regimes and encourage the wildflowers, longer grasses and insects needed to support biodiversity and reduce pollution and flooding.
Their work extends far beyond this and the group has been supporting initiative for a pesticide free town, nature education and providing homes for wildlife.
To find out more, please visit the BilliGreen facebook page
Wild about Warnham
Wild About Warnham’s aim is to raise awareness of environmental issues, help prevent further environmental damage and action projects to reverse biodiversity loss in Warnham, Kingsfold, Winterfold, Northlands, Durfold, Station Road and Goosegreen.
Working in strong partnership with Warnham Parish Council, Wild about Warnham’s 'Wild Bunch' have taken a key role in creating wildflower areas on the edge of the village green, along cycle paths and establishing no mow areas in the churchyard.
They are also key in the Swift Action Project, installing nest boxes and call systems with funding provided by Wilder Horsham District.
Greening Steyning, Bramber and Beeding
Affectionately known as Greening Steyning, the group aims to make Steyning, Bramber and Upper Beeding the greenest and most sustainable community in the UK by 2030.
With such an inspiring vision the group are well on their way to making that vision a reality.
Originally launched in 2010 as the ‘Steyning 10:10 Climate Action Group’ the group work tirelessly to get the whole community thinking about what can be done at a local level to tackle the challenges of climate change and species loss.
In 2011, the name was changed to ‘Greening Steyning, Bramber and Beeding, but the group is often affectionately known as Greening Steyning. It now has four dedicated action groups, covering Biodiversity, Lifestyle, Transport and Homes and Energy.
Alongside this there are many volunteer groups all working tirelessly to help maintain, improve and conserve the green spaces across the District.
For more information on volunteering in our parks and open spaces, please our dedicated page here
A full range of volunteering roles across Horsham District can be found here
How can you make a difference at home?
Domestic gardens can be among the most diverse habitats in the UK, bursting with variety of plants, insects and other invertebrates.
They also host a good number of bird, mammal, amphibian and reptile species that either live in your garden or visit to feed but they need help to survive and flourish.
Wildlife Gardening is important for many reasons. It can;
1. Provide food and shelter for wildlife
2. Create habitats for pollinators and insects
3. Help to conserve energy and resources
4. Help improve our well-being and promote positive mental health.
Action you can take
- Plant native shrubs, trees and flowers that are climate-resilient, scented, colourful and provide vital food sources
- Install a bird bath or a pond
- Stop using pesticides
- Provide a home for wildlife
This could be a nest boxes, hedgehog homes, bug hotels, or a hibernaculum. - Install birdfeeders
- Link your garden to other green spaces with hedges not fences
- Let the grass grow long and the weeds go free!
Find out more and be inspired
Royal Horticultural Society Wildlife Gardening
RSPB Planting for Wildlife
The Wildlife Trust Wildlife Gardening Advice
Looking forward
As we look to the future, opportunities are being explored for working together with West Sussex County Council and the Weald to Waves project to further enhance the Nature Recovery Network.