Big Chalk Homepage

Pewsey Downs, looking towards Salisbury Plain, offers expansive views of rolling chalk hills and open countryside. The landscape features sweeping green fields and distant, undulating plains, with Salisbury Plain visible on the horizon. The scene is tranquil and panoramic, showcasing the natural beauty and wide-open spaces of the region.

Big Chalk

Our vision is to create nature-rich chalk and limestone landscapes that benefit all of us.

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It’s time to look beyond the scenery.

Our partnership is forging vital connections between nature recovery projects across the chalk and limestone landscapes of southern England.

Uniting resources and expertise, and covering a fifth of England, Big Chalk aims to build a dynamic nature recovery network that will be central to the UK’s pledge to protect 30% of land and halt the decline of nature by 2030.

The North Downs Way through Wye and Kings Wood in the Kent Downs National Landscape features scenic trails amidst ancient woodlands. The path offers lush greenery, diverse wildflowers, and tranquil views of rolling hills, showcasing the natural beauty of the Kent Downs.

Why does Big Chalk exist?

Southern England has some of the most iconic scenery on Earth, with its distinctive chalk and limestone vistas inspiring wonder for centuries. The globally rare interplay of geology, soils and water creates special landscapes formed of streams, meadows, grasslands and woodlands, which support a rich diversity of wildlife.

These landscapes are as crucial to people as they are to our planet. They contribute to water supplies, healthy soils, carbon storage, sustainable food production and flood management, all while improving our health and wellbeing through access to historic heritage and the beautiful outdoors.

But the climate and nature crises threaten these precious places and the nature they support. Most nature-rich grasslands have already been lost, and our chalk streams are in poor health.

That’s why Big Chalk exists.

Latest news and events

Welcome to your hub for the latest updates on our projects, upcoming events, and exciting developments. Discover upcoming events, recent news, and opportunities to engage with Big Chalk and our partners.

A striking view of Hunstanton Cliffs in Norfolk, featuring distinct layers of red, white, and grey chalk. The cliffs rise dramatically against a cloudy sky, with a rocky beach and scattered seaweed in the foreground. The white chalk layers are prominent, highlighting the geological history of the area.
News

Big Chalk follows the chalk into Norfolk: our partnership just got bigger!

Norfolk is now included in the Big Chalk area, expanding nature recovery efforts across 20% of southern England.

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A group of people walking along a grassy path at RSPB Winterbourne Downs, wearing outdoor clothing and backpacks, heading towards a lush, green mound under a partly cloudy sky.
Blog

Putting people at the heart of nature's recovery

Embracing diverse values and cultural perspectives can spark fresh ideas and build a strong, shared commitment.

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Cows of various colors grazing in a lush, wildflower-filled meadow under a cloudy sky, with trees lining the background
News

Big Chalk partners secure funding for groundbreaking grassland toolkit for farmers

Plantlife are developing the first grassland-specific toolkit to help farmers restore more species-rich grasslands and access financial support.

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Lady in a red coat looking through a telescope at Winterbourne Downs
News

Introducing the first ever Big Chalk newsletter!

We’re pleased to announce the launch of our very first Big Chalk newsletter, packed with updates and opportunities from across the Big Chalk landscape

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People observe the RSPB Winterbourne Downs chalk scrape, engaging with staff to learn about its benefits for biodiversity and the local ecosystem.
Blog

What can Big Chalk achieve? Using maps to understand its potential

Big Chalk aims to connect nature recovery across 25,000 km² of southern England, engaging 150 partners to enhance wildlife and tackle climate change.

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A green arable field with a path running through it in the Cotswold National Landscape presents a serene rural scene. The field is lush and vibrant, bordered by hedgerows, with the path offering a tranquil route for walkers to explore the expansive countryside and rolling hills typical of the Cotswolds.
Blog

The value of Big Chalk to Limestone Link

A vital partnership initiative aimed at improving the connectivity of the landscape between the Mendip Hills and Cotswolds National Landscapes.

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Roundway Down, near Devizes in Wiltshire, is a scenic hill offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Known for its historical significance and natural beauty, the area features grassy slopes and ancient earthworks. It provides a popular spot for walkers and nature enthusiasts to explore its rolling landscapes and enjoy the expansive vistas.

Get involved

There are many ways to get involved with Big Chalk, each playing a vital role in achieving our shared vision.

Whether by joining the partnership to help realise what we can only achieve together, registering your project as part of our dynamic and evolving suite of partner-led initiatives, or joining a topic group to contribute to knowledge-sharing, your involvement matters.

We also welcome funders and new partners who can help us advance our mission to collectively secure the future of nature in southern England’s iconic chalk and limestone landscapes.

Your support is key to our collective success.

Get involved

Join our partnership

Realising our vision depends on building a broad, representative partnership – we do together what we cannot do alone.

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For illustrative purposes only

Register your project

Join an evolving network of partner-led projects working to secure the future of nature in southern England’s iconic chalk and limestone landscapes

Register your project
At Standen Manor, a team is restoring streams to enhance habitats and boost biodiversity. Their work includes improving water flow and bankside vegetation, creating a healthier environment for local wildlife.

Join a topic group

Knowledge exchange within the Big Chalk Partnership happens through a series of topic groups, which meet online three to four times a year.

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The Adonis blue (Polyommatus bellargus) is a small butterfly, with males displaying vivid sky-blue wings and females brown with orange spots. Both sexes have pale brown undersides with black spots. They thrive in chalk grasslands, often seen on low plants like horseshoe vetch.

Become a funder or partner

We would love to hear from you if your organisation can help fulfil our mission and contribute to delivering our vision of nature-rich chalk and limestone landscapes that benefit all of us.

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The Wye Crown, located on the North Downs Way in the Kent Downs, is a prominent chalk hill figure offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The site features a large white crown carved into the hillside, visible from afar. It provides a striking landmark along the trail, showcasing the area's natural beauty and historical heritage.

Big Chalk map

The Big Chalk programme area, highlighting protected landscapes.