Sussex Wildlife Trust has been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Our Heritage grant for £97,500 over two years to deliver the Seaford Community Wildlife Project, thanks to National Lottery players. The Trust recently took on a 25 year lease to manage Seaford Head Nature Reserve for Seaford Town Council and this grant will provide a firm link between the town and its nature reserve with a host of opportunities for the community to learn skills, volunteer and experience nature.
Seaford Head Nature Reserve is the best place to enjoy spectacular views of the Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Valley. It is also home to many nationally rare and significant species of plants, birds and insects including moon carrot and the potter flower bee.
Thanks to National Lottery players, Sussex Wildlife Trust will be able to undertake conservation work on the nature reserve, make improvements to local greenspaces in the town and provide new interpretation and information about the wealth of natural heritage to be found in Seaford. It will work with schools delivering “Wild Beach” sessions, create ranger groups for young people to engage in nature conservation and provide opportunities for local groups and the community to volunteer and take part in walks, talks and wildlife activities.
Pete Crawford, Director of People and Wildlife at Sussex Wildlife Trust said: “We are delighted to be the beneficiaries of this grant from HLF and we’d like to thank the National Lottery players who have enabled Sussex Wildlife Trust to take forward this project. People living in Seaford will learn more about the wildlife and history on their doorstep and there will be plenty of chances for them to take part in enjoyable activities to learn about and conserve their natural heritage for the future.”
James Corrigan from Seaford Town Council said: “This is excellent news and follows closely on from Seaford Town Council and Sussex Wildlife Trust entering into a long term lease to enable the Trust to properly manage this wonderful area. Seaford Town Council is confident that this project will be beneficial not only for the nature reserve itself but also for the residents of Seaford. Well done to everyone involved.”
Image by Nigel Symington
