West Sussex/East Sussex and Brighton & Hove is/are home to some of the most ecologically rich and beautiful landscapes in the country. From ancient woodlands and chalk grasslands to internationally important wetlands, our area supports rare and threatened species such as the striking Adonis blue butterfly and the fragile round-headed rampion. But nature, as we […]
Avian Flu – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) We have received reports of a small number of dead birds around the harbour and it is possible that this is due to avian flu. The UK Health Security Agency has said that the risk to the public from this bird flu strain is very low. It […]
The High Sheriff of West Sussex, Dr. Timothy Fooks, has praised the inspirational work of the Chichester Harbour Education Team during a recent visit to the harbour. Dr. Fooks was welcomed by Chichester Harbour Conservancy Chairman Pieter Montyn and Chief Executive Officer Matt Briers before touring the harbour and visiting the Conservancy’s Education Centre at […]
Looking for your next boating project or a chance to get out on the water? Join us at Itchenor Hard on Saturday 1st November for Chichester Harbour Conservancy’s auction of impounded vessels. There is a range of vessels up for auction, from small tenders to yachts. This year the auction includes both CHC and private […]
The Chichester Harbour Education Team is ready to welcome children and students back this autumn with a full programme of field trips and hands-on learning experiences. Chichester Harbour Conservancy offers curriculum-linked educational visits for ages 4 to 18, giving pupils the chance to explore the unique habitats and wildlife of the harbour and its rivers. […]
Twelve young people with a shared passion for nature and conservation, joined the team at Chichester Harbour Conservancy this summer for an exciting new work experience programme. The students aged 17 to 21 from across Sussex and Hampshire, had the opportunity to find out about different job roles and career opportunities in Chichester Harbour National Landscape. […]
Chichester Harbour Conservancy has welcomed the official adoption of the Chichester District Local Plan, a move that CEO Matt Briers says will bring a degree of much-needed certainty to planning and development in and around Chichester Harbour National Landscape. The adopted Local Plan covers the area of the Chichester District that includes the Chichester Harbour […]
2025 has been the most successful year yet for Common Terns since Chichester Harbour Conservancy introduced tern rafts in 2019. At least 75 of these seabird chicks fledged from the rafts this year, and have flown out into the wider Solent before they migrate south for the winter. A safe habitat Common Tern numbers had […]
There are two types of oyster here in Chichester Harbour – native oysters and pacific oysters. But what is the difference, and why does it matter? Native Oysters Native oysters were abundant here for thousands of years, supporting a thriving commercial fishery. But populations plummeted by 95% due to factors including over-fishing, habitat loss, predation, […]
World Ranger Day is on 31 July every year. Let’s take a look at how our rangers and volunteers have been working in the Chichester Harbour National Landscape recently. With a unique blend of coastal, wetland and terrestrial habitats, our rangers Rosie and Jack have a wide and varied work plan. Supported by a team […]
Our tern rafts were recently the subject of a podcast episode, made by The Wandering Ecologist, Pen Green. Pen joins our ecologist, Pete Hughes to find out all about the success of our tern rafts in restoring the Common Tern populations of Chichester Harbour. Part of the Return of the Tern project, the rafts provide […]
An exciting new historic building restoration project in Chichester Harbour National Landscape has been recognised with a Heritage Trust award.North Barn at Itchenor Park Farm won the commercial category in the recent Sussex Heritage Trust Awards 2025. The awards celebrate excellence in architecture, conservation, and craftsmanship across Sussex and the best in new design, rejuvenation […]