Storrington Conservation Society works on a number of sites around the Village. We believe that long term sustainable management practices are best for wildlife. Therefore, we carry out short regular sessions an an ongoing basis on the sites we help to care for.
Sites we are involved in looking after are:
Hurston Warren
This heathland site lays to the west of the Village and it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest(SSSI). It is owned by the Murray Downland Trust who are committed to its future for the benefit of nature. Our work is to keep the heathland clear of invasive birch scrub to allow the heather and the ecosystem that it supports to flourish.
The Riverside Walk
The creation of Storrington’s Riverside Walk has been one of our greatest achievement. This project is another excellent example of how through working in close partnership with organisations such as Horsham District Council substantial projects can be achieved. The Riverside Walk has been created in three stages and now runs from Meadowside in the east of the Village to Coppice Park in the west. It provides a quiet traffic free tour through the heart of the Village. Our role is to clear back overhanging trees, removing debris and ensuring the area remains pleasant for people to enjoy.
The Glade Woodland
This 2 acre piece of woodland is owned by Storrington and Sullington Parish Council and we help to manage it as a public open space for local people to enjoy. Our work involves the co-ordination of tree felling, maintaining the footpaths and enhancing the sites wildlife value.
Fryern Dell
This is the site where we have been concentrating a lot of our efforts in recent years. We have been busy restoring this historic local landscape with its specimen trees, waterfall, riverside path and wild flowers.
Dyke Farm
Dyke Farm is one of our newer worksites. We are assisting Nicola Peel and her family to rewild this fantastic area. So far we have planted over 500 trees on the site.
Other planned activities on the site include:
- Creating and helping to manage meadows.
- Removing invasive Himalayan balsam.
Chantry Hill
This is our latest work site, working along side the National Park Rangers who manage this site for the benefit of Butterflies. This site is more challenging than our regular sites as it is on the northern slopes of the Downs. Approximately 37 butterfly species may be seen at Chantry Hill, but it can be much colder than other Sussex downland sites. Our work involves keeping the chalk grassland free of scrub to enable the wildflowers and butterflies to thrive.
River Stor and Chilt Himalayan Balsam Eradication Project
Every June and July (and maybe August), we support this project which is coordinated by Viv Doussy. The aim of the project is to remove this invasive plant from the two river courses to allow our native plants to thrive. The particular areas that we concentrate our efforts on are Hurston Warren, land adjacent to West Sussex Golf Club and land adjacent to Parham Glider Field. During these few months, we undertake weekly sessions to pull these shallow rooted invaders. Please refer to our events page and emailed updates to see the exact dates and meeting points.
Sullington Warren
In 2024 we started to hold projects on this site to assist the National Trust and our sister organisation, Sandgate Conservation Society to manage this important local Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Foxmead Court Pond
Storrington Conservation Society has been helping to manage this small pond, which is now in the grounds of a retirement facility, for over 30 years. As well as attracting aquatic wildlife to the area the pond is a visually attractive feature in the grounds.
Cootham Pond
This is our newest site which we hope to start working on in 2025. The pond is heavily shaded by trees and we plan to open it up to benefit the aquatic life in it.
