Engaging young people in Britain's newest national park

27 March 2009

A Rocha partner project the Steyning Downland Scheme is in the heart of the South Downs – Britain's newest national park.

Steyning downland ramble

The Downland Scheme is about learning to see well – to encourage local people to learn what is happening in their local environment and act from that starting point. In particular the scheme wants to engage young people in understanding the world around them and how it is changing. Over the winter months every form group, in year 8 and 9 from the local grammar school, have spent a day clearing scrub to reclaim more chalk downland. GCSE ICT students have been creating computer games about the consequences of the different actions we take. The workings of the old rifle range are a history project waiting to happen – and there is huge potential for other projects on the site.

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But what of the new South Downs National Park – how will this affect the scheme? It’s still a controversial point, landowners may be wondering what a new layer of management from outside the area will add, conservationists may be hoping there will be more resources for vital work to be done.

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However the National Park unfolds, the Steyning Downland Scheme is gathering momentum. You can get in touch with the scheme via the website (www.steyningdownland.org) where you will find details about walks and activities all ages throughout the summer.