Big Chalk is THE largest landscape-level conservation initiative in the UK.
Professor Sir John Lawton, author of the Making Space for Nature “Lawton” report, 2010.
Big Chalk is a game-changing vision for nature's recovery.
The Big Chalk Partnership's shared ambition is to restore hundreds of thousands of hectares of globally significant habitats—home to rare nature-rich grasslands and 80% of the world’s chalk streams—across 20% of England. This is large-scale, transformative nature recovery in action.
Big Chalk is at the heart of the UK’s bold commitment to protect 30% of its land by 2030. The chalk and limestone landscapes of southern England benefit our heritage, culture, and communities while securing water supplies, carbon stores, and biodiversity for generations to come.
Big Chalk is at the heart of how we catalyse nature's recovery. By connecting landscapes, organisations and communities across borders, we are driving large-scale habitat restoration that builds resilience in a changing climate. The time to act is now.
How?
Thriving chalk and limestone landscapes aren’t just great places for nature—they power our economy, protect communities, and secure our collective future. They provide clean water for tens of millions, lock away carbon, create sustainable jobs, and shield us from floods and soil erosion. Investing in Big Chalk means investing in a future where people and nature thrive together.
Access to thriving landscapes shouldn't be a luxury—it’s a necessity for people's health, wellbeing, and a more resilient future.
Big Chalk (the red outline), covers 20% of England and spans 15 Protected Landscapes (dark green), which make up a third of Big Chalk.
Big Chalk in numbers...
80% of the world’s chalk streams – safeguarding 6,646 km of these globally rare habitats
One-fifth of England’s land – spanning 20% of the country’s landscape
15 Protected Landscapes – from National Landscapes to National Parks, united for nature
9 National Trails – connecting people to the heart of our landscapes
More than 150 partners – working together to deliver a bold vision for nature's recovery
- Find out more on the Big Chalk website.
Want to hear more?
If you would like to be involved and help drive this large scale nature restoration, let's talk.
