Take part in the big Sussex wildlife survey

The Sussex Wildlife Trust is asking people across the county to share their views on local wildlife and nature by taking part in this year’s Wildlife and Countryside Survey.
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The Sussex Wildlife Trust is a conservation charity which aims to protect natural life in Sussex. It was founded in 1961 and is one of 46 wildlife trusts across the UK.

It has 33,000 members and manages 2,000 hectares of land for nature.

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Amanda Reeves, from the trust, said: “People are turning to wildlife in these difficult times

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Nature has provided a welcome distraction to many of us and we have been posting lots of wildlife activities and sightings online to help everyone make the most of what the natural world has to offer. It’s great to see more people sharing their sightings with us.

“Our annual wildlife survey is more important than ever.

“In response to the Covid-19 pandemic we’ve changed our annual survey to learn more about what nature means to you, and how we can get more people involved with their local wildlife. It will also help influence our policy in the wake of the current emergency.

“Over 7,000 people took part in our survey last year, and the answers to questions have helped us to secure valuable income to fund some of our wildlife projects.

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“Your response to this year’s survey will help us protect Sussex wildlife and help even more people enjoy it.

“Nature is always there for us in times of difficulty, please spare five minutes of your time to complete our 2020 wildlife survey.”

In last year’s survey the robin was listed as the most seen species.

The survey covers a wide variety of topics, one of which is a move by the trust to re-introduce beavers to Sussex, which is still planned to go ahead this autumn.

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Beavers have been absent from Sussex for more than 400 years after being hunted to extinction in the UK in the 16th century.

The Sussex Beaver Project steering group had a licence approved by Defra to introduce Beavers into a 250 hectare fenced area of the Knepp estate in West Sussex.

The Beaver re-introductions will use the natural instincts of a native animal as a tool for restoring important wetlands. At least 80 per cent of the UK’s natural wetlands have been damaged or destroyed in the past, and in Sussex it is probably closer to 95 per cent.

The survey also asks people to relate what has been their favourite interaction with nature during the lockdown period.

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Another project by the trust, which comes up in the survey, is its support for the restoration of offshore kelp beds that once stretched from Brighton to Selsey. Kelp is the name given to a group of brown seaweeds that are capable of forming dense aggregations known as ‘kelp forests’. Historically, kelp was abundant along the West Sussex coastline but this habitat has diminished over time.

Sussex Wildlife Trust has a long history of campaigning for positive change for nature and people and has been active in calling for measures to address climate change and in its opposition to fracking in Sussex.

The trust also believes there is a need to move toward more sustainable and accessible public transport systems in Sussex.

The Sussex Wildlife Trust provides environmental education and teacher training to encourage the enjoyment and understanding of wildlife through life-long learning.

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Its activities and games are designed to support aspects of the National Curriculum, but it also wants participants to be inspired to protect the natural world around them.

It offers environmental activities at education centres at Woods Mill near Henfield, Seven Sisters Country Park near Seaford and Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

It also works within school grounds and run Forest School, Wild Beach and Nature Tots programmes, though these activities are currently suspended due to the coronavirus crisis. More details can be found on its website.

More than 4,800 children are members of Wildlife Watch, the trust’s junior branch and the trust has more than 450 dedicated volunteers across the county working for it.

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A spokesman for Sussex Wildlife Trust said: “We are a conservation charity for everyone who cares about nature in Sussex.

“We focus on protecting the wonderfully rich natural life that is found across our towns, countryside and coast.

“By working alongside local people we create opportunities for us all to connect with nature, and for nature to thrive in even the most unlikely places.

“We want Sussex to be a home for nature’s recovery. A place where people and wildlife can thrive together, where people can enjoy nature and the health and wellbeing benefits it provides.

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“Together we can make sure that future generations living in Sussex will be able to enjoy the sense of wonder and well-being that nature offers.”

Sussex Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves remain open, although all visitor centres, information offices and toilet facilities remain closed.

The trust is asking that all visitors follow strict social distancing guidelines during their visit to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them.

Also respect the need to keep dogs on their leads at all times to protect ground nesting birds and other wildlife.

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A full list of all the reserves the trust operates in Sussex and where they are located can be found on its website.

To take part in the online survey visit www.survey.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/2020-survey/

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