News and events

News and events

A tranquil river flows through a lush landscape, bordered by trees and dense bushes, under a partly cloudy sky. The scene captures the serene beauty of nature with vibrant greenery and reflections on the water's surface.

Saving England’s Rarest Rivers

Chalk streams are among the rarest freshwater ecosystems in the world, with 85% found in England—yet only 12% are in good ecological condition.

This World Water Day, we’re spotlighting these fragile rivers and the urgent action needed to protect them. From pollution to climate change, pressures are mounting—but hope is not lost. Big Chalk partners, alongside The Rivers Trust and the CaBA Chalk Stream Restoration Group, are working to restore natural flows, improve water quality, and safeguard these landscapes for the future.

Read our latest guest blog, Alison Matthews, Chalk Stream Restoration Strategy Programme Manager at The Rivers Trust, explores why chalk streams matter and what’s being done to save them.

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A tranquil river flows through a lush landscape, bordered by trees and dense bushes, under a partly cloudy sky. The scene captures the serene beauty of nature with vibrant greenery and reflections on the water's surface.
Blog

Saving England’s rarest rivers: the fight for chalk streams

Protecting chalk streams, find out how partners, communities and conservation efforts are restoring and safeguarding these rare and precious rivers.

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Marsh fritillaries (Euphydryas aurinia) are striking butterflies with intricately patterned wings. Their wings are orange with a mosaic of black and cream markings, edged with a row of small white spots. The underside of the wings features a paler, more muted pattern, ideal for camouflage. These butterflies are often found fluttering in damp meadows, grasslands, and marshes, where they lay eggs on the leaves of devil’s-bit scabious, their host plant.
Blog

UN World Wildlife Day 2025 – Conservation finance: investing in people and planet

Unlocking green finance for nature, exploring how conservation finance can unlock large-scale investment to restore chalk and limestone landscapes.

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Wild garlic (Allium ursinum) is a lush, green plant with broad, lance-shaped leaves and clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers. The entire plant emits a strong garlic aroma. It often grows in damp, shaded woodlands and meadows, forming dense carpets of foliage. The edible leaves and flowers are commonly used in salads, soups, and sauces.
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Big Chalk and Local Nature Recovery Strategies

Our partnership is making its voice heard, influencing LNRSs to drive meaningful nature recovery across 20% of England.

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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.
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Protected Landscapes at 75: Celebrating a legacy and catalysing nature’s recovery

Celebrating 75 years of protecting landscapes, highlighting their impact, and the need for continued support.

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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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People observe the RSPB Winterbourne Downs chalk scrape, engaging with staff to learn about its benefits for biodiversity and the local ecosystem.
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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.
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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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Wessex Archaeology team member photographing archaeological finds in the field with careful attention to detail to accurately capture the artefacts, ensuring their preservation and documentation for further analysis and study.
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Achieving together what we can’t do alone

"There’s no limit to what you can achieve, as long as you’re prepared not to take the credit for it."

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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.
Blog

Big Chalk: Entering a new era of growth and collaboration

An exciting new chapter, marking a significant milestone in our journey of safeguarding southern England's chalk and limestone landscapes.

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