Preserving Ancient Chalk Grassland at Steyning

25 November 2009

Downland cattle

The Horseshoe and Rifle Range are two of Steyning’s best loved areas of downland. They are now being managed under the Steyning Downland Scheme (SDS), a project backed by the Wiston Estate, which owns the site.

Under the scheme grazing will return to the Rifle Range this winter with the simple aim of protecting the chalk downland habitat and promoting the wide variety of plants and animals that live there. More than 97% of this wonderful habitat has been lost over the last century, with arable farming, scrubland and woodland taking over vast swathes of South Downs chalk grassland.

The scheme’s other aim is to promote the responsible enjoyment of this wonderful land by local people so the Rifle Range will continue to be open to walkers. For those who prefer not to pass through a herd of cattle, there will be a fenced off route, but people who enjoy sharing their walks with beautiful docile animals are welcome to do so! Dog owners are asked to keep their pets on leads in the grazing area while the livestock are present and there will be an area that will not be grazed where dogs can run around. Whilst the cattle are not at all aggressive they can occasionally be startled by other animals.

Downland sheep

Over the coming weeks there will be new stock proof fencing, kissing gates and stiles going in around the Rifle Range. Some scrub will be cleared to get old fencing out and some of the cleared wood will be left to rot down on the ground because it provides an excellent habitat for beetles and other insects. In the short term this can look a little messy, but it’s good for the ecosystem. From next spring and over the coming years, there will hopefully be many downland species returning to this lovely site, once the cattle (and later, sheep) have done their work.

If you would like to know more about the Steyning Downland Scheme or its work, please visit www.steyningdownland.org, or ring Bryony Webb, the project manager, on 01903 812129 Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We’re particularly keen to receive ideas for next year’s activity programme, which is designed to provide enjoyable educational experiences for local people of all ages.

The Steyning Downland Scheme is an A Rocha UK Associated project.