Climate Friends – Residents for a climate-friendly parish

Climate Friends is an informal network of people in East Dean and Friston who are spearheading a parish-wide approach to climate action and nature recovery.

It is for anyone keen to see more local action in response to climate change and biodiversity loss.

The group includes residents of Birling Gap, Crowlink, East Dean, Friston & Gayles.

Members can commit in whichever way and to whatever level they choose.

Latest news 

November 2023

We now have 70 members – see below about how to join and get in touch.

Since August 2023 Climate Friends has been operating as an unincorporated association with a constitution, committee and bank account. This enables us to apply for and administer grant-funding in pursuit of our aims.

Our first two funding applications have been successful.

Nature Recovery and Climate Action in the parish of East Dean & Friston

This is a project to identify non-residential land areas in the parish suitable for nature recovery and to link up wildlife areas. Climate Friends won a grant of just over £5,000 from the South Downs National Park Authority for this project. We have commissioned the consultancy Wild Business to carry out initial mapping. 

The work will complement the biodiversity activities being undertaken through the local neighbourhood planning process, the Local Nature Recovery Strategies for Sussex 

and the Seaford to Eastbourne Nature Recovery Project.

We are also expanding our partnership with key stakeholders and landowners to take this forward.

Wildlife Verges Project

East Dean & Friston Parish Council agreed to fund and commission an ecological survey to identify roadside verges for designation as wildlife verges.

The survey, carried out by ecologist Laurie Jackson, covers publicly and privately-owned roadside as well as other green spaces.

Five road verges were identified as potential wildlife verges in:

•    Birling Gap Road

•    Downsview Lane

•    Gilberts Drive

•    Old Willingdon Road (2 sites)

The report concluded that there are significant opportunities to enhance a network of green spaces and wildlife corridors within East Dean & Friston parish.

These recommendations have been submitted to East Sussex County Council Highways for consideration. A decision is expected at the end of the year.

Climate Friends has submitted a proposal to the Parish Council for a community project to take the report’s recommendations forward.

Who we’re working with

•    The South Downs National Park Authority

•    The National Trust

•    Forestry England

•    Landowners and managers

•    East Dean & Friston Parish Council

•    East Dean & Friston Residents’ Association

•    Sussex Wildlife Trust

•    East Sussex County Council/Wealden District Council

•    Friends of the South Downs

•    Council for the Protection of Rural England

Events & activities

Local Nature Recovery Strategies

East Sussex and West Sussex County Councils are working together on 2 Local Nature Recovery Strategies for Sussex. Over the next few months, they will be developing events and other ways you can get involved with the preparation of these strategies.

Find out more on the Sussex Nature Partnership website.

Resources 

The South Downs National Park Authority’s Climate Change Adaption Plan aims for the Authority to be Net Zero by 2030 and the National Park as a whole by 2040.

Changing Chalk Partnership

Sussex Nature Partnership

Friston Forest Management Plan

Sussex Wildlife Trust

COP28. Conference of the Parties 30 November to 12 December 2023