Farmers and landowners across southern England have a unique opportunity to access new funding that supports both nature recovery and farm business resilience.
The Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund has launched with £750,000 available for capital projects that restore chalk and limestone landscapes, ranging from small £1,000 grants to exceptional awards above £75,000.
The value of chalk soils
Chalk soils are a defining feature of southern and eastern England. They dominate landscapes such as the South Downs, the Chilterns, Salisbury Plain, the Yorkshire Wolds, and parts of Lincolnshire.
These light, free-draining, alkaline soils have shaped farming systems for centuries. They are well-suited to cereals, oilseed rape, and legumes, and support traditional sheep and cattle grazing. Their structure reduces compaction and makes them workable in a wide range of conditions.
Environmentally, chalk soils underpin some of the UK’s most important habitats. Calcareous grasslands are rich in wildflowers and insects, while chalk streams are globally rare freshwater systems that provide clean water supplies to millions of people. Chalk aquifers recharge quickly, playing a vital role in water security. These landscapes also hold cultural and scenic value, supporting rural economies through recreation and tourism.
Funding designed for land managers
The Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund offers a flexible approach to investment. Projects may be fully funded, supported through match funding alongside other schemes, or enhanced through top-up funding to increase scale and impact. This allows farmers and landowners to integrate nature recovery into working businesses without compromising productivity.
For those considering projects in habitat restoration, water management or farm infrastructure, now is the time to apply
Funding is available for projects such as large-scale grassland restoration, chalk stream improvement, woodland and hedgerow planting, and the creation of wildlife corridors across farmland. Investment can also support infrastructure for conservation grazing or the purchase of specialist equipment.
Opportunities
This fund gives land managers the chance to improve natural capital while strengthening the long-term resilience of their businesses. It opens access to new income streams linked to biodiversity net gain and carbon markets. It helps to build land value through investment in soils, water and habitat. It also supports collaboration with communities, conservation organisations and local authorities.
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, with decisions typically made within 5 to 35 working days depending on the size of the grant. This makes the fund one of the more responsive options available to land managers seeking to deliver environmental projects at pace.
Find out more
The Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund represents an opportunity to secure investment in both nature recovery and the future of farming across southern England’s chalk landscapes. For those considering projects in habitat restoration, water management or farm infrastructure, now is the time to apply. With the right advice and support, these opportunities can deliver lasting benefits for both land managers and the wider landscape.
With years of experience advising on and applying for grants and funding opportunities, we will work with you to identify and implement the best available opportunities for you and your farming business.
Get in touch today for further advice—and find out how we can help you make the most of the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund.
About the author
Jack specialises in helping farms through the agricultural transition and unlocking grant funding opportunities, with a particular interest in using innovative technology and practices to increase productivity and performance. He is a committee member of the Wiltshire Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution charity.
About the author
Jack specialises in helping farms through the agricultural transition and unlocking grant funding opportunities, with a particular interest in using innovative technology and practices to increase productivity and performance. He is a committee member of the Wiltshire Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution charity.
