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.

Restored chalk stream flowing through an urban green corridor, with native wildflowers, natural bank stabilisation and improved habitat for wildlife in Greater Cambridge.
News

Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund: funding starts to flow

Applications are now open, with funding available for nature recovery projects across southern England

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The pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris) is an early spring bloom with large, silky, bell-shaped flowers in violet, pink, or white. It has feathery leaves and produces fluffy seed heads after flowering. It commonly grows in open grasslands and rocky areas.
Event

Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund Webinar

Join us for an Nature Recovery Funding application webinar — your practical guide to applying for the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund

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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.
Event

Big Chalk Conversations: online workshops

If you’re an existing Big Chalk partner who couldn’t make one of the face-to-face workshops, there’s still time to join the conversation.

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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

Big Chalk map

The Big Chalk programme area, highlighting protected landscapes.