Join the Lost Woods project in 2024

Sarah Williams, Lost Woods project manager, explains how you can get involved in the Lost Woods of the Low Weald & Downs.

We’ve had a fantastic first year on the Lost Woods of the Low Weald & Downs, and as we look to 2024 we’d love to see more local people and community groups in Sussex join us.

You can play a part to help restore ancient woodlands, revive habitats, and help local people reconnect with nature. There are so many ways to get involved if you live, work or volunteer in the project area:

Volunteer

This new year are you considering doing something new to either grow your skills or meet new people? The Lost Woods has lots of new volunteer opportunities. You can find out more or if you’d like to chat to our volunteer coordinator Liz then please request a call back.  

Join us at a Thank You Lottery Players event

The Lost Woods of the Low Weald & Downs is made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. To say thank you we will be running free events specifically for players of the National Lottery every year until the project ends in 2027.  Follow us on Facebook for updates and look out on our website events’ listings for upcoming dates.

Learn lost skills

Woodland management skills are essential to maintaining healthy woodlands, but unfortunately over half of woodlands in the Lost Woods area are neglected.  Join one of our training courses and learn how you to manage woodlands and help make habitats thrive once more.  Or enrol onto a green woodworking course and take home your own sustainably made craft.  

Grow your conservation group’s skillset

Are you a part of a volunteer conservation, wildlife, or sustainability group working in the project area?  

Perhaps you would like training in wildlife surveying or conservation skills?  Or you need training in health and safety, or help recruiting new volunteers? Find out how we can support your group.

Bring your community group to the Lost Woods

We want more local people to be able to access nature and the health benefits this brings.  If you run or are a part of a community group in the project area, then our team of community development workers may be able to support your group.  Learn more.

Offer your land to create new nature corridors and reconnect ancient woodlands

If you’re a landowner in the Lost Woods project area then you might be able to help us reconnect fragmented ancient woodland.  By creating new nature corridors, either through natural colonisation or new planting, we can strengthen woodland habitats. Find out more.

Sign up for free support as a landowner or woodland manager

It can be hard to manage a woodland alone, or know where to start.  For landowners of small and medium-sized plots (less than five hectares), we can offer free support to help you revive your woodlands.  

So, if you live in Lewes, Plumpton, Chailey, Haywards Heath, Lindfield, Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint, Steyning, Henfield, Ditchling, Storrington, or anywhere in between (!) then please consider joining in or just spread the word!

Follow us on Facebook for our latest news and be the first to hear about Lost Woods events.

Wishing you a Happy New Year on behalf of the Lost Woods team: Action in Rural Sussex, The Woodland Trust, Small Woods Association and Sussex Wildlife Trust.