Why: To preserve and re-establish areas of open downland, interspersed with trees and scrub. Helping to increase the varieties of wildflowers and butterflies (including the rare Duke of Burgundy) appearing each year and to improve public access throughout the reserves.
Where: Graffham Down, near Midhurst
When: Saturday 1 April, 09:45-14:00
This event is a part of the South Downs GeoTour. You can earn 2 bonus points per person for attending this event and helping to support the conservation of the National Park. Don't forget to bring your GeoTour Passport.
What is it all about?
The challenge is to clear the glades and tracks and improve public access. The work will involve cutting back bushes, raking up after previous brush cutting work and litter picking in the area immediately surrounding the South Downs Way. The task is hugely important, clearance work allows sunlight to penetrate through the canopy and reach the field layer, which provides the necessary conditions for growth of wildflowers, herbs and grasses which create food and habitat for a variety of butterflies and invertebrates. Without clearance work, the tree canopy and shrub layer would stop sunlight reaching the ground. Clearing the tracks will encourage more visitors to the site, inviting them to step off the South Downs Way for a few moments to explore the sights, including a spectacular view north to Black Down (the highest point in the South Downs National Park and a hiding place for one of our #SDGeoTour geocaches!)
There will be moderate physical effort and bending and lifting involved, so here’s a great opportunity to get outdoors, meet new people and help conserve your local patch.
What do I need?
No specific skills are required just enthusiasm for the task and a willingness to work with others - it’s a team effort and we want you to have fun! You will be joining the Graffham Down Trust and the South Downs National Park Authority in helping to conserve your local area whilst meeting new people and enjoying a day out too.
You will need to bring old clothes, sturdy footwear (preferably steel toe-capped), waterproofs or sun protection depending on the weather, plenty of drinking water and packed lunches. We will meet in Graffham Village, next to the church (grid ref. SU 928 167) at 9:45am, there will be Land Rovers to take you up to the site. Alternatively, you could meet us on site (grid ref. SU 920 162) at 10am. It’s 3 miles from the bus stop and car park at Cocking Hill, check the waypoints for details.
Please write a note to log how many people can attend.
If you need any more information please contact geocaching@southdowns.gov.uk or call Jonathan on 01730 819287. On the day you can reach Ian on 07866 961455 or Jonathan on 07866 962660.
More information...
Graffham Down Wildlife Reserves
The Site lies on chalk and, therefore, within the grassland it supports a good range of chalk-loving plants including orchids, eyebright, hemp agrimony, vetches, treffoils and herbs.
A thin layer of acidic soil, over the chalk in small patches, supports a limited chalk heath community with wood sage, ling (heather), broom and gorse. Of special note is the presence of columbine (the wild form of Aquilegia), a plant only occasionally found on chalk in woodland. The scrub is varied too - you will find spindle, buckthorn, wild roses and honeysuckle.
This plant community supports a wonderful array of butterflies. http://www.graffhamdowntrust.org.uk/our-reserves
Public Transport:
Nearest bus stop: Cocking, South Downs Way (next to Cocking Hill Car Park)