Established in 2002, Chichester Harbour Trust aims to conserve, protect and improve the natural beauty and wildlife of the area for public benefit by acquiring land, sites and buildings within the Chichester Harbour National Landscape.
This is achieved either by purchasing land on the open market, receiving donations and legacies, and by securing its future by way of long-term lease arrangements with the landowner.
Several of sites that Chichester Harbour Trust are practically managed by Chichester Harbour Conservancy with support from the Chichester Harbour Friends.
The current list of sites affiliated with Chichester Harbour Trust is as follows.
Chichester Harbour Trust now holds 15 sites and over 375 acres in total (150 hectares).
- Apuldram Meadow, the site of the Fishbourne Footpath to Nature Recovery Project.
- Chidmere Pond, Chidham, a beautiful late and a valuable haven for wildfowl.
- The Dell, Chidham, a public amenity space used by local people and Chidham School.
- Eames Farm, Thorney Island, a 170-acre area of coastal grazing marsh, wetland and reedbed, providing vital habitat for a wide range of migrating waders and wildfowl, and many rare plant and insect species. The meeting space is available to hire from Chichester Harbour Conservancy.
- Ellanore Spit, a natural spit in West Wittering.
- Fishbourne Meadows, a wet grassland supports a wide range of wildflowers, including the Southern Marsh Orchid. It is grazed by cattle in the summer, and is site used for school visits.
- Itchenor Field, Wittering Road, grazed by horses.
- Itchenor Meadow, near Itchenor Memorial Hall. Fruit trees have been planted to attract a wide range of insects.
- Maybush Copse, Chidham, a former brick yard and landfill site restored as a community woodland in 2009.
- Marina Farm, Thorney Island, a developed site that wa transformed into a community green space in 2022.
- Oyster Quay, Warblington, a site of historical interest.
- Prinsted Field, Southbourne, used for arable crops.
- Sandy Point Lagoon, Hayling Island, near Hayling Island Sailing Club. A feeding ground for migrating and overwintering birds.
- Seaview Road, Hayling Island, mudland.
- Tournerbury Farm, coastal grazing marsh of high value for migrating birds and other wildlife.
In recent years, Chichester Harbour Trust have also sought to influence the long-standing issues around water quality in Chichester Harbour. As an independent organisation, this is their prerogative. Meanwhile, Chichester Harbour Conservancy, through the CHaPRoN Partnership, will continue to seek long-term actions that will bring about a permanent improvement to the state of nature.
