Surrey Wildlife Trust has launched a new fundraising appeal to support its Bees, Bugs and Butterflies programme along a stretch of the North Downs in Surrey between Guildford and Reigate. Working in partnership with communities, schools, volunteers and other landowners, the Trust is aiming to restore the iconic chalk grassland and community greenspaces within the North Downs that are so vital for pollinators.
Despite its beautiful landscapes, Surrey has some of the fastest declining wildlife populations in England with one third of its species now either extinct or in danger. In addition, since 1945 the UK has lost more than 80 per cent of its chalk grassland, which is why it is so important to preserve this important habitat in Surrey.
Andrew Jamieson, Project Development Manager at Surrey Wildlife Trust, said:
“Chalk grassland habitat, like the North Downs, supports so many species it is sometimes called Europe’s tropical rainforest. So we are taking decisive action to reconnect and revitalise this stretch of countryside so bees, bugs and butterflies can breed and prosper. Our aim is also to work with local communities so that gardens, open spaces and school grounds support more wildflowers and pollinators.”
Every £1 donated to the appeal could unlock £10 in match-funding!
For example, £50 donation could generate £500, which could help equip a volunteer group with tools for removing invasive scrub, run a bee themed school grounds project or recruit and train a group of volunteers to survey pollinating insects.