Restoring the High Downs

The High Downs project is an exciting three-year initiative to improve the countryside environment between the Elham and Petham valleys, which sit within the Kent Downs (designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, AONB). 

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The High Downs project is an exciting three-year initiative to improve the countryside environment between the Elham and Petham valleys, which sit within the Kent Downs (designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, AONB). This means that the region’s distinctive character and natural beauty are precious enough to be nationally protected.

We want to protect and restore the dramatic views and diverse wildlife and habitats of the High Downs. Along with the High Weald AONB, the Kent Downs AONB covers 33% of Kent’s land area. The High Downs project aims to improve biodiversity by connecting and improving not only these wildlife-rich habitats, but expanding opportunities for wildlife by working and helping neighbours, farmers and landowners throughout the project area.

Who are we working with?

We are working alongside local farmers, private landowners and local communities to improve the wealth of opportunities available for people to explore, enjoy and benefit from this amazing landscape.

The project is funded by the National Grid Landscape Enhancement Initiative. As the project lead, we are partnering with the Kent Downs AONB, Natural England, Stelling Minnis Charitable Trust and the Forestry Commission. We are embarking on this project because we understand the importance of landscape-scale nature conservation work to create a more resilient future against the climate and nature crises.

A verdant wood with flowering wild garlic.” style=
A verdant wood with flowering wild garlic. ©Lucy Carden

The project area

The project focusses on enhancing the landscape quality of the 700 hectares of land within the Kent Downs AONB through changes in land management and improved access to footpaths, trails and riding routes.

  • Park Gate Down, chalk grassland landscape (owned and managed by Kent Wildlife Trust)
  • Hawes Farm, damaged landscape area
  • Elham Park Wood, mix of ancient woodland, plantation heath and grassland rides
  • Park Wood, mix of ancient woodland, plantation heath and grassland rides
  • Covert Wood and Covet Wood, mix of ancient woodland, plantation heath and grassland rides
  • Stelling Minnis Common, heathland and common land
  • Yockletts Bank, ancient semi-natural woodland with chalk grassland banks (owned and managed by Kent Wildlife Trust)
  • Spong Wood, semi-natural woodland with chalk grassland banks (owned and managed by Kent Wildlife Trust)
  • Lodge Wood, woodland
Yockletts Bank

John Young

Work so far

We could not have achieved so much for the High Downs project without the help of our volunteers. Through all seasons, they have played a key role in restoring the key landscape characteristics of this beautiful area, through activities such as coppicing woodland, clearing scrub, creating footpaths and remove invasive species across all ten sites.
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Get Involved

Turn up for nature by volunteering in the High Downs project area to improve this landscape for people and wildlife. We’re asking individuals and families to volunteer their time to help us restore the High Downs. You can do this by taking part in practical conservation management, livestock checking and wildlife monitoring.