People are being encouraged to connect with nature this summer as a popular festival returns to inspire us about the amazing wildlife on our doorstep. The South Downs National Park’s ReNature Festival takes place from June 22 to 29 with a fascinating array of activities to help people connect with some of the rarest habitats in the world.
The 2025 Festival
This year’s festival explores the sights and sounds of nature, as well as three key habitats in the National Park: the butterfly havens of chalk grasslands, reptile-rich heathlands, and the dark night skies that are oases for nocturnal wildlife. Fun activities include guided nature walks at stunning locations, “bioblitzes” to discover all creatures great and small, rock pooling, talks, night-time safaris and immersive nature sound experiences. Among the highlights will be a guided walk at a former golf course near Brighton that is now teeming with butterflies.
Restoring & creating wildlife havens
It comes as new ecological data reveals that the National Park’s ongoing ReNature initiative – which is aiming to restore and create wildlife havens across Sussex and Hampshire – is having a significant impact.
Since 2020, eminent ecologist Neil Hulme has carried out butterfly surveys at 27 sites that are being restored or maintained by the South Downs National Park Authority and its partners.
Almost 6,000 butterflies from 36 species have been counted in that time, including the highest count of the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly to date and new discoveries such as the Hornet Robberfly and Cistus Forester moth. The study shows that the richest butterfly fauna is being found on sites with good habitat management, including success stories such as Beeding Hill which is now bountiful in the iconic adonis blue butterfly.
Meanwhile, there is a growing list of scientifically-backed studies reporting a variety of species bouncing back in the National Park, including the natterjack toad, bats and water vole.
The ReNature campaign was launched four years ago in response to the national biodiversity crisis with the goal of transforming 13,000 hectares – or over 20,000 football pitches – into habitat for wildlife by 2030. The campaign is now well over halfway to reaching its target. A total of 6,766 hectares – an area bigger than Portsmouth – has been created or improved to help nature thrive.
The full programme for the ReNature Festival can be found at: www.southdowns.gov.uk/renature-festival/
Many of the events are free and drop-in, while others need to booked in advance.
Marking National Parks’ 75th birthday
As part of the ReNature initiative and to mark National Parks’ 75 birthday, schools across the National Park and surrounding areas can apply for grants of up to £1,000 to be used in their school grounds for supporting nature. Grants could be used to create a wildflower meadow, planting trees, digging a pond, building a bee hotel, installing bird boxes or creating an allotment. Applications can be made up until 31 July 2025 and will be given a first-come-first-served basis.
Apply for ReNature Grant & donate
To apply for a ReNature grant, visit https://southdownstrust.org.uk/national-parks-75th-birthday-renature-fund-for-schools/
To donate to the campaign visit the South Downs National Park Trust
