THE SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE
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Chalk Grassland

Chalk grassland is an important habitat at The Sustainability Centre, and one that is under threat nationally. Plants species such as marjoram, carline thistle, agrimony, weld, pyramidal orchid and greater knapweed all thrive here.

Chalk grassland has been created over time through a combination of factors including grazing sheep. A large number of plants have adapted to the sheep's eating habits, the shallow, chalky soil and low nutrient levels. Chalk grassland can contain as many as 40 plant species in every square metre. It has much more biodiversity than the other types of grassland in this country. Some 35 of Britain's 56 butterfly species can be found on chalk grassland, and its protection is a high priority.

We also have mounds that have built up on the chalk grassland. These are huge anthills, built up over many generations. They are very important to some of the rare plants; the ants bring chalk to the surface and produce a light airy soil not found elsewhere. The anthills even create their own mini-climate around them, which attracts butterflies such as the Common Blue and Chalkhill Blue. Green Woodpeckers feed here too.

If chalk grasslands are ploughed up, overgrazed or allowed to revert to coarse grassland and scrub, many beautiful plants and butterflies will become extinct.

Here at The Sustainability Centre we are reclaiming and restoring overgrown areas of chalk grassland, thus providing a haven for plants and insects.
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Hidden Gems

There was word of a hidden parcel of beautiful chalk grassland behind the former garages, near Wetherdown Lodge. 

The Volunteer Co-ordinator Rachael Mariey set to work with a small group of volunteers to uncover this beauty for all to enjoy. Sycamores were decked to reveal steps, rubble removal is ongoing, yews are in the process of being pruned, and suddenly...a gorgeous mini meadow is unveiled! 

Over 30 flowering species have been observed, including field scabious, ox-eye daisy, bird's foot trefoil, vetch, knapweed, wild carrot and lady's bedstraw, hedge woundwort and hemp agrimony. Scores of insects are enjoying this rich resource, with butterflies, including the beautiful marbled white, peacock and silver-studded blue, fluttering by and cinnabar moths and bees zooming around. A path has been strimmed to enable access whilst protecting the meadow from trampling. 

This area is a valuable seed source, especially since it harbours some flowers which are not present throughout the rest of the site. So part of this ongoing project will include seed collection for distribution in other parts of the site.
​
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Donations

Charity Number ​​ 1079866

Earthworks Trust & Earthworks Foundation

​The Sustainability Centre is owned and operated by ​The Earthworks Trust (Charity No.1079866).
Our trading company is Earthworks Foundation. All profits go to support our charity The Earthworks Trust.
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Main Address

The Sustainability Centre 
​Droxford Road,
East Meon, Hants
​GU32 1HR
01730 823166

Reception

01730 823166
​info@sustainability-centre.org

South Downs Eco Lodge & Camp Site

South Downs Eco Lodge
​The Sustainability Centre 
​
Droxford Road,
East Meon, Hants
​GU32 1HR
01730 823549
​​accommodation@sustainability-centre.org

Cafe

01730 823755
infobeechcafe@gmail.com  

Burials

​01730 823425
​burials@sustainability-centre.org

Education

​01730 823166
​education@sustainability-centre.org

Courses

01730 823166
​courses@sustainability-centre.org

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  • Home
    • Coronavirus Announcement >
      • Booking Options Form
    • What Is Sustainability
    • All About Us >
      • History
    • Awards
    • Bursary
    • Beech Cafe
    • Staff Team & Trustees
    • Job Opportunities
    • Partnerships >
      • Onsite Partners
    • Site Map >
      • Map
    • Find Us
    • Opening Hours
    • Contact Us >
      • Join Mailing List
      • Leave Mailing List
  • Eco Active Blog
    • Health
    • Meditation
    • On The Wild Side
    • Grow Now
    • Young People
    • Art & Craft
  • Our Future
    • Ready Steady Grow
    • New Learning Centre
    • South Downs Eco Lodge
  • Projects
    • Beekeepers
    • Chalk Grassland
    • Compost Toilet
    • Forest Gardening
    • Permaculture
    • Straw Bale Solar Powered Showers
    • Solar Projects
    • The Woodland Hall
    • Tree Bog
    • Wetherdown Lodge
    • Wetland Ecosystem Treatment
    • Yurts
  • Support Us
    • Friends >
      • Become a Friend
      • Friends Field
    • Business >
      • Business Friends
    • Leaves For Learning Appeal >
      • Fundraise for us
      • Hedgehog Eco Challenge
    • Gifts & Donations
    • Donation Form
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
  • Courses
    • Adult Courses >
      • Craft and Upcycling Courses >
        • Book Making Course
        • Fabric Baskets Course
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop
      • Wood Craft Courses >
        • Gate Hurdle Making Course
        • Heritage Basket Making Course
        • Pendant Carving Course
        • Spoon Carving Course
        • Stool Carving Course
        • Trug Making Course
      • Willow Craft Courses >
        • Willow Bird Feeders Course
        • Willow Bowls Course
        • Willow Coffin Course
        • Willow Dragonflies Course
        • Willow Festive Decorations Course
        • Willow Frame Basket Course
        • Willow Garden Sculpture
        • Willow Obelisks Course
      • Food and Gardening Courses >
        • Clay Oven Building Course
        • Cordial Making Course
        • Deer Butchery Course
        • Kitchen Gardening Course
      • Forest School Training >
        • Climbing Frames, Ropes & Ladders with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Leader Training
        • Forest School Assistant Training
        • Forest School Taster Day
        • Lost Words Training Course
      • Health & Wellbeing Courses >
        • Medicinal Herb Workshops
        • Mental Health First Aid Course
        • Natural Wellbeing Course
      • Natural Building Courses >
        • Eco-Refurbishment
        • Roundwood Timber Framing Course
      • Nature Connection and Folklore Courses >
        • Foraging, Fire and Folklore
        • Nature Connection
        • Nature Led Meditation
        • Woodland Folklore Course
        • Unwind in the Woods
      • Permaculture Courses >
        • Intro to Permaculture Design Course
      • Sustainable Land Management Courses >
        • Coppicing Course
        • Hedgelaying Course
        • Wildflower Meadows Course
        • Woodland Management
    • Children's Workshops >
      • Wood Mouse Forest School
      • Children's Holiday Workshops
    • Bespoke Courses
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Discounts and Benefits
    • Courses Waiting List
    • Contact the Courses Team
    • Courses Terms and Conditions
    • Courses Covid Information
  • Schools
    • Our Education Ethos
    • Day Trips
    • Residentials
    • Farm Tours
    • Saxon Experience
    • Forest School
    • Alternative Education >
      • Young Natural Ambassadors
    • We Can Come to Your School
    • Colleges and Universities
    • Training for Teachers
    • Meet the Team
    • Useful Information & Booking Forms
    • Contact the Education Team
  • Accommodation
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Booking Enquiries
    • Accommodation Terms and Conditions
  • What's On
    • Art Exhibitions >
      • Past Exhibitions
      • Pete Levy
    • Earth Protectors Conference
    • Online Experiences
    • South Downs Green Fair
    • Talk & Tour
    • Your Events
  • Burial Site
    • South Downs Natural Burial Site
    • Funeral Charges
    • Information Pack
    • Flowers and Planting
    • Attending A Funeral
    • Legacies and Gifts
    • Donations
  • Shop and Bookings
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Online T Shirt Shop
    • Online Eco Shop
    • Shop At The Centre