On the 5th of December, as we mark World Soil Day, we are excited to announce Norfolk is now officially part of the Big Chalk area! This expansion of Big Chalk’s geography, unanimously endorsed by the Partnership Board, marks a pivotal moment for our vision of creating nature-rich chalk and limestone landscapes that benefit all of us.
World Soils Day serves as the perfect moment to celebrate the essential role of soil and the underlying geology in shaping our landscapes. The boundary of Big Chalk is, after all, defined by the soil—specifically, areas with calcareous soils, rich in calcium carbonate. Our boundary was set after extensive consultation, using data from the British Geological Survey and the UK Soil Observatory. By adding a 1km buffer to these key soils, we ensure we’re focusing on the right areas to deliver lasting nature recovery.
The inclusion of Norfolk brings with it the unique geology and habitats of the Brecks—a region of chalk-sand soils, rare grasslands and heathlands, and internationally important biodiversity. The Brecks offer a rich tapestry of wildlife and ecosystems, strengthening the ecological fabric of Big Chalk and enabling us to work collectively at an even greater scale to recover nature.
From Breckland, the chalk continues north as a low, rolling plateau supporting sparkling chalk streams, before outcropping spectacularly along the Norfolk coast. The flints it contains are widely used as a locally characteristic building stone, and the chalk aquifer is the county’s main source of drinking water.
Natural England has strongly supported this extension, emphasising the importance of chalk soils and habitats in Norfolk’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy. This reflects a shared commitment to catalysing nature’s recovery by making ecological connections across political and geographical boundaries.
David Hoccom, Programme Lead Big Chalk Partnership said:
"Extending Big Chalk to include the Norfolk chalk marks an exciting milestone in our journey. This expansion reflects Norfolk’s unique geology, soils and habitats while bringing us closer to achieving a truly connected network for nature’s recovery. By integrating the work of our new partner organisations in Norfolk, our Partnership now spans 20% of England. Nature needs us to think Big if we are to meet the UK’s global commitments to protecting biodiversity, and Big Chalk is helping deliver on that promise. By working collaboratively across our chalk and limestone landscapes, we can deliver lasting change for wildlife, landscapes, and communities.”
Fiona Hinds, Nature Recovery Manager for Norfolk, at Natural England said:
“We are delighted that the Big Chalk has been extended to include Norfolk. Our county’s geology is characterised by its chalk soils, streams and reefs, which underpin our unique ecosystems and local economy. Chalk creates unique habitats for species like white clawed crayfish, highly endangered in the UK which needs dissolved calcium in chalk streams to form new shells. Nature and geology do not recognise man-made boundaries, so we must work together to restore and improve Nature. Recovering Nature is part of the solution to the biggest problems we face, Norfolk’s inclusion in Big Chalk will help us to do more to create resilient ecosystems.”
Becoming part of Big Chalk gives organisations working across the Norfolk chalk the chance to benefit from the collective expertise, resources, and momentum of this ambitious partnership.
Together, we can:
- Amplify impact: By connecting Norfolk’s unique habitats to the wider Big Chalk network, we can strengthen ecosystem resilience at a scale that truly benefits nature and, in turn, the services it provides to us.
- Enhance support: Local partners, including nature, landscape and community organisations, farmers and land managers, will gain access to shared knowledge, resources, and new funding opportunities.
- Inspire action: Working at this expanded scale opens new opportunities for citizen science, community engagement, and education—connecting people to nature and the places they call home.
What’s next?
With organisations working across the Norfolk chalk now able to join the Big Chalk partnership, we’re poised to make even greater strides toward achieving national ambitions for nature’s recovery, such as the 30x30 targets—protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
The Big Chalk partnership aims to deliver transformative outcomes for nature’s recovery and climate resilience, including:
- Expanding, enhancing, and connecting habitats: increasing the area, quality, and connectivity of species-rich grasslands, woodlands, and farmland habitats across our chalk and limestone landscapes.
- Restoring our internationally important chalk streams and rivers: improving the ecological health and function of England’s iconic waterways.
- Boosting biodiversity: strengthening the abundance and range of priority species, ensuring they thrive within resilient ecosystems.
By working together at this unprecedented scale, the Big Chalk partnership is helping make nature’s recovery a reality, while supporting organisations and communities to play their vital part.
Join our partnership
Realising our vision depends on building a broad, representative partnership – we do together what we cannot do alone.
If you would like to discuss joining the Big Chalk Partnership, please email David Hoccom.
Register your project
The Big Chalk programme is made up of a dynamic and evolving suite of partner-led projects. These may do different things, cover different areas and have different partners but they all have two things in common – they contribute towards delivering the Big Chalk vision and the Big Chalk Board has agreed they can be registered as a Big Chalk Project.
Once registered, a Big Chalk Project can use the Big Chalk brand on its materials, benefiting from an enhanced profile as well as access to networking, shared learning and best practice. Importantly, Big Chalk Projects are recognised as being part of a collective effort to secure the future of nature in southern England’s iconic chalk and limestone landscapes.
The registration process begins with submission of an online form.
Join a topic group
Knowledge transfer within the Big Chalk Partnership happens through a series of topic groups, which meet online three to four times a year. These currently cover:
- Land management for nature’s recovery
- Working with farmers and land managers
- Developing landscape-scale programmes
- Local nature recovery strategies
- Evidence, data and recording
- Natural capital
- Health, wellbeing & engagement
If you are interested in joining a Big Chalk topic group, please email Bruce Winney.
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.
If you would like to discuss funding or partnering with Big Chalk, please email David Hoccom.