We’re disappointed that the Chilterns National Landscape boundary review has been cancelled due to Defra funding cuts. We’re grateful to all who supported the project & will continue working with Natural England & Defra to push for funding to complete it.
Read more: https://f.mtr.cool/xrqezzjgmb
Front cover of a blue book with four images; two of women weaving, one of some lace, and one of a chair, with the words "Hidden Hands".
Celebrate the lives of some of the #Chilterns' women & girls this International Women's Day.
From straw plaiters to lacemakers, Hidden Hands is a collection of stories, gathered by dedicated volunteers, that brings the past to life.
#IWD2025
Order your copy today 👇
https://f.mtr.cool/fusuuestdm
Poster with orange background and silhouettes of people taking photos of a dog with the words "Wildlife Photography Competition".
🚨Calling all keen photographers🚨
To celebrate World Wildlife Day, Age UK Bucks is hosting a wildlife photography competition! 📸
Anyone can enter, regardless of age or experience & participants can submit multiple entries.
Email entries to: agefriendly@ageukbucks.org.uk
@buckscouncil.bsky.social
Poster with a photo of a small brown water vole and the words "love every whisker, claw and tiny paw".
The UK pledged to protect 30% of its land & sea by 2030. 🌍
Our work to improve water vole habitat is part of the wider National Landscapes’ network & we look forward to helping deliver on international commitments.
#WorldWildlifeDay #WWD2025
@chilternstreams.bsky.social @natlandassoc.bsky.social
A man walking his black-and-white dog through a new gate at the entrance to a field.
The improvements will increase access to the meadows & is part of Mend the Gap.
Mend the Gap is jointly run by the Chilterns & North Wessex Downs National Landscapes. The project is enhancing areas of the Goring Gap negatively impacted by the electrification of the Great Western mainline.
A group of men installing a new gate at the entrance to a field.
We recently funded access improvements at Streatley Meadows.
A popular local spot, disabled access was previously not possible due to 3 narrow kissing gates. These have now been replaced with larger disabled-access gates & upgrades have been made to the surface at the entrance to the meadows.
📸 @kittyloganmedia.bsky.social & Open Sky Media
🤩 Great news! Defra's Farming in Protected Landscapes #FiPL programme has been extended for a 5th year!
Meet some of the Chilterns’ farmers who have benefited from the programme 👇
youtu.be/3_4g4snwA2g?...
(🧵3/3)
@chilternstreams.bsky.social @riverchesspaul.bsky.social @buckscouncil.bsky.social @hertswildlifetrust.bsky.social
#chalkstreams #chilternsnationallandscape #citizenscience #farmerclusters
Funded by Thames Water & working in partnership with a range of NGOs, farmers, local authorities, government bodies & local communities, the project is delivering tangible benefits – at a catchment scale – for both people & the natural environment.
(🧵2/3)
A group of 6 people stand on a pebbled river bank.
Yesterday, some of the #Chilterns team were at the recently restored Chesham Moor to showcase the power of collaboration through the River Chess Smarter Water Catchment project.
(🧵1/3)
We worked on the Future Treescapes project – which aims to guide decisions on improving protections for trees to benefit climate, nature & people.🌳
The project developed a guidance hub of resources to help anyone growing, planting or managing trees.
Explore the hub 👇
Poster with a photo of a group of people in a wildflower meadow and the words "We need you! Help us survey wildlife in the Chilterns".
Recruitment is now open for the 2025 Tracking the Impact survey season!
Help monitor bird, butterfly & plant species in the #Chilterns – no experience necessary 🦋🐦⬛🌿
Find out more and register your interest 👇
https://s.mtrbio.com/zaekadqafb
#chilternsnationallandscape #citizenscience
Another fab video from Mend the Gap Project Officer Phil! 🤩
Photo of a clump of white snowdrop flowers surrounded by yellow crocus flowers.
Snowdrops and the first sign of #spring in the #Chilterns.
Have you seen any #snowdrops, or other spring flowers, while out and about in the Chilterns?
📸 Chris Smith
Here in the Chilterns, we've funded 157 projects through Farming in Protected Landscapes.
👇Read the full report below
Wetlands are among the most diverse habitats on Earth; 40% of all plant & animal species depend on them to live or breed. They store vast amounts of carbon – making them vital in controlling the impacts of climate change. (🧵4/4)
#chilternsnationallandscape #WWD2025
Aerial photo of a field with a large area dug out with small ponds forming inside.
Mend the Gap has funded approx. 20,000 m2 (3 football pitches) of wetland in a former crop field on the Sulham Estate, in the south Chilterns.
Wet-loving plant species will provide habitat for a variety of species, from dragonflies to wading birds. (🧵3/4)
📸 Sulham wetland (ARK)
Aerial photo of a wetland in a valley.
@chilternstreams.bsky.social worked with a number of landowners to create 2,500 m2 (1/2 a football pitch) of wetland in the Hambleden valley as part of wider restoration to the Hamble Brook – a winterbourne chalk stream. (🧵2/4)
📸 Hambleden wetland (@hedleythorne.bsky.social)
This World Wetlands Day, we're celebrating two recent wetland creation projects in the Chilterns. 💧🌳 (🧵1/4)
#chilternsnationallandscape #WWD2025 #chalkstreams #mendthegap
A man giving a presentation to a group of people.
The Tracking the Impact team are preparing for 2025!
Since the project started in 2019, volunteers have submitted 20k+ records – identifying 500+ species of plants, birds & butterflies!
Want to ID species in the #Chilterns? Join Tracking the Impact today! 👇
https://bit.ly/3CBn7NC
We have many events lined up for the next couple of months!
Riverfly monitoring, river guided walks, amphibians and reptiles surveys, story time and butterflies survey methods.
Check our events page! 🦋🦎🪳🦂
www.chilternstreams.org/events/
A group of 6 people stand in a barn. All are wearing waterproof coats and are soaking wet.
A man kneels in a field in the rain looking at soil samples.
Worms 1 : Surveyors 0 🪱
A dedicated team were out #surveying #earthworms on farms in the central #Chilterns yesterday when they had to run for cover due to a hail storm!
Worm diversity gives a good indication of soil health, which is important to the farmers we work with.
@earthwormuk.bsky.social
The view looking across the fields towards Ivinghoe Beacon in the Chilterns National Landscape.
The Historic Ridgeway Project invites you to a fascinating online lecture from Dr Wendy Morrison Chilterns National Landscape Archaeologist this Thursday 30th Jan 2025 19.00 - 20.00 GMT
Details & register:
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fbbe37...
@hillfortian.bsky.social @chilternsnl.bsky.social
A Starling, wings poised and feet stretched forward, is perfectly captured in mid-flight as it swoops towards a wooden perch. Its iridescent plumage glimmers with hints of green and purple, speckled with tiny white dots. The intensity of its focus and the blur of motion in its wings give this bird an air of determination, as if it’s on a very important mission.
3 days to go until the #BigGardenBirdwatch!
Last year’s 3rd most-spotted bird was the shimmering Starling. 😍
Will you spot one this weekend?
There's still time to sign up: https://buff.ly/4gXUE3y
...but we'll always be out in the Chilterns, working with communities, farmers & landowners to protect & enhance this area of outstanding natural beauty – caring for the Chilterns forever & for everyone. (🧵2/2)
#tbt #chilternsnationallandscape #throwback #20years #happybirthday
On this day 20 years ago, the Chilterns Conservation Board met for the first time! 🎉2️⃣0️⃣
Our staff, name & logo may have changed... (🧵1/2)
We're seeking an experienced consultant to evaluate the successes, challenges & outcomes of the development stage of Not Bourne Yesterday - assessing its impact & legacy.
📆 Apply by Fri, 24 Jan 👇
www.chilterns.org.uk/jobs/evaluat...
Read the poetry 👇
https://bit.ly/3ToVNrj
(🧵3/3)
#chilternsnationallandscape #naturecalling #artinthelandscape #poetry #spokenword
@natlandassoc.bsky.social @revolutonarts.bsky.social
The above is from (The Holy Well Feeds) The Mainstream, 1 of 9 poems by Luton-based writer Lee Nelson.
Lee’s poems will frame the next stage of the project – Luton Henge. Inspired by the Chilterns, artist Matt Rosier will create a new community monument & outdoor gathering space. (🧵2/3)