THE DOWNLANDS TRUST
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What do we do?
The Downlands Trust was created as a charitable trust in November 2008 to promote, for the benefit of the public, the conservation of the natural environment through management of the countryside and to advance education in the conservation and management of the environment.
Our focus is on the chalk downlands of Surrey, an internationally rare habitat that supports a wide range of species. Many of the plants that grow here are restricted to chalk grassland and the North Downs support a greater variety of orchids than almost any other habitat in the country. Butterfly populations, particularly those on south facing slopes, are equally spectacular, in both numbers and rarity.
The Trust is run by volunteers and primarily, though not exclusively, supports the aims and work of the Downlands Partnership (formerly the Downlands Countryside Management Project) established in 1988 to introduce and maintain countryside conservation and management schemes across Northeast Surrey and adjoining parts of South London.
This support involves:
The creation of the Trust as a funding vehicle was also a condition of the Downlands Partnership's successful 2005 Heritage Lottery Fund bid to look after the environmentally important chalk grasslands on the North Downs, which led to the foundation of the Partnership's conservation grazing project, which currently manages over 150 sheep as well as goats and cattle.
The Downlands Trust is run by a small elected committee of trustees that ensures that the Trust acts in accordance with its published constitution and the rules governing its charitable trust status and in the best interests of its membership.
Our focus is on the chalk downlands of Surrey, an internationally rare habitat that supports a wide range of species. Many of the plants that grow here are restricted to chalk grassland and the North Downs support a greater variety of orchids than almost any other habitat in the country. Butterfly populations, particularly those on south facing slopes, are equally spectacular, in both numbers and rarity.
The Trust is run by volunteers and primarily, though not exclusively, supports the aims and work of the Downlands Partnership (formerly the Downlands Countryside Management Project) established in 1988 to introduce and maintain countryside conservation and management schemes across Northeast Surrey and adjoining parts of South London.
This support involves:
- Raising funds for investment into the future of the local countryside
- Promoting the conservation, protection and improvement of the countryside
- Encouraging access to the countryside for all
- Promoting the health and social benefits of becoming involved in a local practical conservation work group
The creation of the Trust as a funding vehicle was also a condition of the Downlands Partnership's successful 2005 Heritage Lottery Fund bid to look after the environmentally important chalk grasslands on the North Downs, which led to the foundation of the Partnership's conservation grazing project, which currently manages over 150 sheep as well as goats and cattle.
The Downlands Trust is run by a small elected committee of trustees that ensures that the Trust acts in accordance with its published constitution and the rules governing its charitable trust status and in the best interests of its membership.
Raising Funds
Funding is at the core of the work of the Downlands Trust and is obtained via its membership subscriptions, donations (both individual and corporate), grant applications and match funding.
Donations
So far, substantial donations have been received from: Staple Inn Actuarial Society, NM Rothschild, Tandridge District Council, Chipstead Village Preservation Society, Caterham-on-the-Hill Parish Council, Legal & General, ASDA Burgh Heath and Croydon Round Table, some of which have been donated for specific tasks or for funding work at specific sites. We are also delighted to have received many donations from individuals, both large and small.
Grant Applications
As a charitable trust, the Downlands Trust is able to apply for a number of grants that are not available to non-charitable organisations such as the Downlands Partnership.
In 2011 over £23,800 was awarded to the Downlands Trust (from the Veolia Environmental Trust and the Gannett Foundation) to develop the Downlands Partnership's conservation grazing programme on Hutchinson’s Bank Nature Reserve, enabling the creation of additional livestock enclosures and the provision of a much-needed water supply to the site.
Match Funding
Supported by guaranteed match-funding from the Downlands Trust, the Downlands Partnership has successfully obtained further significant funding, including:
Donations
So far, substantial donations have been received from: Staple Inn Actuarial Society, NM Rothschild, Tandridge District Council, Chipstead Village Preservation Society, Caterham-on-the-Hill Parish Council, Legal & General, ASDA Burgh Heath and Croydon Round Table, some of which have been donated for specific tasks or for funding work at specific sites. We are also delighted to have received many donations from individuals, both large and small.
Grant Applications
As a charitable trust, the Downlands Trust is able to apply for a number of grants that are not available to non-charitable organisations such as the Downlands Partnership.
In 2011 over £23,800 was awarded to the Downlands Trust (from the Veolia Environmental Trust and the Gannett Foundation) to develop the Downlands Partnership's conservation grazing programme on Hutchinson’s Bank Nature Reserve, enabling the creation of additional livestock enclosures and the provision of a much-needed water supply to the site.
Match Funding
Supported by guaranteed match-funding from the Downlands Trust, the Downlands Partnership has successfully obtained further significant funding, including:
- A £33,800 SITA grant for local pond restoration work (including ponds at: Banstead Woods, Farleigh Common and Chipstead Cricket Club and the construction of a new pond at Old Lodge Farm) - for which the Trust contributed 12.5%.
- An additional £31,175 SITA grant for a Small Blue Butterfly project to improve and create habitats to encourage a revival in their numbers - for which the Trust contributed 11.5%.
- A £224,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant for a ‘Skills for the Future’ programme saw the Downlands Partnership, in partnership with the Lower Mole and Surrey Heathland partnerships, provide training and experience for 3 countryside management trainees per year for 4 years - for which the Trust contributed £6,000 spread over the 4 year period of the programme.
How the Money Is Spent
Over the past few years the Downlands Trust has provided funding that has enabled the Downlands Partnership to purchase much-needed tools and equipment.
New Land Rover purchased following a £10,000 donation from the Trust
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New Hilux support vehicle purchased thanks to a £6,000 donation from the Trust
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Right: As well as purchasing standard tools such as bowsaws, loppers and drills, the Trust also purchased this powered digging tool. Funding is also provided for the purchase of livestock, fencing materials and a variety of countryside furniture including benches, noticeboards and signs. |
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Supporting the Downlands Trust
If you would like to support the work of the Downlands Trust and help to raise much-needed funds you can either become a Trust member and/or make a donation to the Trust. As the Trust is run entirely by volunteers, all the money collected goes directly to supporting our work.
Some of our members have also raised funds on our behalf by organising sponsored events, such as a sponsored run or a sponsored tree planting day, so there are many ways in which you can support us.
Some of our members have also raised funds on our behalf by organising sponsored events, such as a sponsored run or a sponsored tree planting day, so there are many ways in which you can support us.
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Donations are always welcome... ...or you may consider becoming a Trust member
Registered Charity No 1126535. Registered Company No 6661092
Registered Address: 46 Wilmot Way, Banstead, Surrey SM7 2PY
Registered Address: 46 Wilmot Way, Banstead, Surrey SM7 2PY
