Events
Mapping amphibian breeding activity across the UK
The PondNet Spawn Survey maps the sightings of Common Frog and Common Toad spawn across the country to better understand how amphibians use different types of waterbodies to breed.
Freshwater Habitats Trust runs the PondNet Spawn survey from December to May. With your help, we can collect important data on the location of breeding frogs and toads. To take part, record Common Frog or Common Toad spawn spotted in garden ponds or any ponds, ditches or puddles you come across in your adventures in the countryside.
Visit the Freshwater Habitats Trust Website to see how to get involved.
The Big Farmland Bird Count is an annual event that encourages farmers and land managers to record the bird species and numbers on their farms. The count aims to raise awareness of the important role that they play in helping our farmland birds, and to measure the impact of the conservation work that many farms and estates carry out.
For more information and how to get involved, click here.
Feb 2026 SDNPA Farmers breakfast invitation
Following on from our very successful Farmers’ Breakfast in February 2025, we are pleased to announce that the farming team at the South Downs National Park Authority will be hosting three events this February (24th, 25th, 26th). These events will be spread across the South Downs National Park to give you all an opportunity to attend.
Please see the attached invitation for details and our full agenda, which we all feel will be really worthwhile and interesting for all our farmers and landowners and land managers across the park, so please feel free to attend yourselves and spread the word to your local farmers and landowners. If you could get them to confirm attendance via farming@southdowns.gov.uk, that would be appreciated.
Please email farming@southdowns.gov.uk to let us know if you are able to attend by Monday 16th February 2026 indicating:
- Which event you would like to attend
- Who will be attending
- Please also let us know if you have any special access and/or dietary requirements.
An online session for land managers to understand more about Biodiversity Net Gain in the water environment.
This session is organised by the Western Sussex Rivers Trust and is aimed at local land managers looking to find out about the potential for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and will cover both terrestrial and watercourse opportunities.
BNG experts, Dr Rowenna Baker, and Charlie Dwight, will talk us through what BNG is, its requirement under Planning and its potential for restoration sites. They will cover what needs to be done to generate BNG, e.g. different types of units, pre surveys, post intervention designs, as well as go through the rules and what helps increase BNG, e.g. habitat condition, objectives from the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, and market value.
There will be worked examples and plenty of time for a Q&A session.
With The Buzz Club we’re discovering which insects our gardens support, helping scientists learn more so we can all better protect them.
Join us to:
– Celebrate progress with the Mosaic Project
– Hear from The Buzz Club about simple citizen science projects you can take part in at home
– Try hands-on demonstrations including hoverfly lagoons, bee hotels and bug bunkers (make and take home, or leave with us)
– Learn how to create a mini wildflower meadow, with a practical patch being made at the Railway Land
– Visit the wellbeing garden and join informal discussions about gardening for wildlife
– Meet local groups offering practical ways to get involved
– Enjoy refreshments
Programme
2.00 — Welcome, introduction & a look at the Mosaic Project
2.15 — Intro from The Buzz Club
3.00–4.30 — Practical sessions across three stations
3.00–4.00 — Representatives from local groups available upstairs
From 3.30 — Garden tours and optional weeding
4.00–4.30 — Creating a wildflower patch (hands-on demo)
The Mosaic Project maps how Lewes green spaces support wildlife, creating habitat stepping stones across the town. The Buzz Club is a citizen science charity helping people investigate which insects live in their gardens and share data that supports biodiversity research. Join us to explore how our gardens help insects thrive and how simple citizen science can make a difference.
Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2FG United Kingdom
Leave No Trace Brighton crew and Sea Lanes management will be on the beach behind Sea Lanes with all the equipment you will need to get involved – no need to book or reserve a space, we’ll have plenty of equipment for everyone.
Brighton, East Sussex BN2 1BX United Kingdom
Are you looking for something to do with your friends and family in your local area this spring/summer/autumn?
The Sunset Survey (April – October) brings you a perfect opportunity to get together with family/friends and discover bats and other wildlife in your local area. This is ideal for you if you don’t have previous bat surveying experience. Just spend an hour from sunset (or before sunrise) and let us know what you see/hear from your window, balcony, garden or local green space.
See how to take part and submit your sightings here.
Come and join a day celebrating the beautiful River Lavant!
With fun family activities including:
- What’s in the Water?
Discover our amazing freshwater life
- Join a Guided Walk
Meet at the WSRT stand at 1pm
- Duck Race – 2pm
Get yourself a quacking friend to win the race from Pot Nore Bridge!
- Refreshments
Provided by Lavant Primary and St Anthony’s School.
Wear blue to support your local river or dress as your favourite river creature!
Join leading growers, industry experts and a former Defra Secretary of State for an inspiring afternoon of talks, practical insights, networking and food at the South East Future of Farming Conference 2026. This annual conference returns for its fourth year, bringing together farmers, landowners and rural professionals from across the South East to explore the latest in farming innovation, technology and sustainability.
What to expect
- Inspiring talks from senior figures in UK agriculture
- Practical takeaways you can apply to your business
- Networking opportunities with peers and sector leaders
- Refreshments and food as part of the programme
- Proceeds support The Country Trust, the UK charity connecting children to the land and food production.
Featured speakers
- George Eustice – Former Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
- Laura Rous – Regenerative arable farmer at Dennington Hall Farms, Suffolk
- Crispin Alexander – Owner of Castle Farm, Kent, home to the UK’s largest lavender farm
- Kelly Hewson-Fisher – Chair and Head of Rural Research at Savills (Moderator)
Lewes, East Sussex BN7 3AE United Kingdom
Join residents in 650+ cities on all 7 continents across the world in an epic, global mission to record as much wildlife as possible. Over the four-day challenge we want you to share your observations of nature, using the free iNaturalist app. Your recordings will contribute towards conservation efforts both locally and on a global-scale.
For more information and how to get involved, click here.
Leave No Trace Brighton crew and Sea Lanes management will be on the beach behind Sea Lanes with all the equipment you will need to get involved – no need to book or reserve a space, we’ll have plenty of equipment for everyone.
Brighton, East Sussex BN2 1BX United Kingdom
Art in Nature: Wakehurst Community Festival, 8–9 May 2026 | Free Event (Booking Essential)
Ignite your creativity at Wakehurst’s two‑day Community Festival celebrating Art in Nature. Enjoy a vibrant programme of accessible, hands‑on activities designed for people who may experience barriers to visiting
Activities include:
- Creative Workshops
- Music, poetry and storytelling
- Performances from your community groups
- Potion making and science workshops
- Guided tours
- Forest bathing and much more!
This year we are including a changing places toilet
Become a citizen scientist, learn the rhythms of the djembe drum, collaborate with local artists, and enjoy delicious food throughout the gardens.
Free tickets and parking — book now at: kew.org/art-in-nature
URL Link: https://www.kew.org/learning/community-access/community-access-at-wakehurst/community-festival
A relaxed outdoor session for families and young people to connect, play, and create music together in Wakehurst’s wild landscapes.
Join us throughout the year to explore the power of sound and nature at Wakehurst. Take part in a two-hour outdoor session designed for families and young people. Each session includes a gentle walk, creative music-making, and moments of mindfulness surrounded by nature. Suitable for ages 5+.
For more information and how to register click here Wakehurst Roots and Rhythm 2026 Poster.
After the success of last year’s celebration, we’re delighted to announce that next year’s festival will mark the 10-year anniversary of the White Stork Project. Join us as we celebrate Storrington’s new European Stork Village status and the return of these iconic birds to our landscape. The event will take place on Saturday 23rd May 2026, with more details and location to be confirmed soon. Keep an eye out for updates and get ready to be part of this special community celebration!
Join us at the Sussex Biodiversity & Regenerative Food Festival for a day filled with celebrating local nature and food!
The Sussex Biodiversity & Regenerative Food Festival is launching this June. Join us on East Street & North Street in Chichester for a free festival that brings together and celebrates the growers, producers and organisations that contribute to a regenerative local food system and a wilder, more nature-filled region.
You’ll find a collection of regenerative & organic growers, bakers, makers, street food vendors, crafters, charities, community groups, demos and more!
The areas of focus for this year’s event are:
- Regenerative, organic & agroecological food production
- Nature, wildlife & landscape regeneration
- Organic gardening and heritage seeds & plants
- Sustainable and natural fibres
- Community engagement in the natural world
- Fermented and preserved foods
- Local artisanal crafts
Chichester, West Sussex PO19 United Kingdom