Mayes Park, a small family farm situated near Warnham, is a fine example of the impact that the Wilder Horsham District (WHD) project can have to help local landowners to improve their local natural environment and help wildlife thrive.
Wilder Horsham District is a partnership with the Sussex Wildlife Trust (funded by Horsham District Council) which aims to create nature recovery networks across the district. Their two Land Advisors provide advice to landowners and community groups to implement practical schemes that create or improve wildlife habitats. This is backed by small grant funding, known as the Nature Recovery Award, and volunteers that can carry out practical tasks.
How the WHD supported Mayes Park
Last year Mayes Park undertook a large project to slow the flow of water from the farm. Funding from the Nature Recovery Award contributed to the cost of either removing or breaking up over 1.3km of land drains. This has created a series of ponds where the water wells up from the broken drains, and some new and restored larger ponds, which has completely transformed the landscape. These have created new habitats and provide drinking water for livestock on the farm.
Elsewhere new hedgerows have been planted and leaky dams have beem built into streams on the farm to slow the flow of water off the land. All these innovations protects the soil from erosion, increases carbon storage and buffers the farm from drought, flood and pollution.
Volunteer work parties, led by the WHD team, also helped to plant the trees that created an orchard which supports pollinating insects and produces rare Sussex Apples. Schools now visit the farm to learn about how agriculture can work in harmony with nature.
Overall Mayes Parks is a great showcase for what can be achieved from the different elements of WHD, offering a fascinating insight on what changes can be made to enhance biodiversity with the right advice and guidance, as well as the commitment of the landowner.
Read about the Wilder Horsham District
Nature Recovery Award applications
The Nature Recovery Award offers grant funding to support practical schemes to support wildlife networks across the District.
The Award is currently OPEN for applications and closes on Sunday 1 March 2026.