Adur and Worthing Councils have launched an ambitious plan to protect and restore the natural environment from the South Downs to the coast.
The strategy builds on existing efforts and introduces five new nature recovery corridors to connect and strengthen habitats across the region.
Councillor Andy Harvey, Adur’s cabinet member for the environment and leisure, said: “From the coastline to the downs and everything in between, we’re fortunate to have such a diverse range of habitats across Adur that are capable of supporting so much wildlife.
“I’m really excited by our new vision for nature, which has great ambitions to unlock the potential of our open spaces and enable local conservation groups to be at the forefront of its development.”
The plan includes a pesticide-free policy and a new street tree planting strategy.
It seeks to involve the community in protecting key habitats such as the Adur Estuary and Cissbury Fields.
Worthing has already phased out glyphosate-based pesticides in public areas since 2022.
This latest move extends the no-pesticide policy to all council-managed land, with a focus on environmentally-friendly alternatives and community-led hand weeding.
Urban tree planting is also a major goal.
The councils are developing a joint street tree scheme, building on the Trees for Streets partnership, which has resulted in 160 community-sponsored trees in Worthing over three years.
In Adur, the focus will be on preserving the Adur Estuary.
This Site of Special Scientific Interest contains rare saltmarsh and mudflat habitats that support a variety of migratory birds.
The councils will continue working with the Friends of the Adur SSSI group and the Adur River Recovery project.
In Worthing, attention will turn to restoring chalk grassland at Cissbury through partnerships with nature groups and conservation grazing schemes.
This approach is designed to support biodiversity, climate resilience and community wellbeing.
The nature recovery corridors will link key landscapes including the Cissbury area, River Adur, Brooklands Park, green spaces between Goring and Ferring, and the coastline.
The councils will work with organisations and residents to create, monitor, and maintain the network to ensure wildlife can thrive.
A public engagement session will be held at The Shoreham Centre on Thursday, November 20, 2025, to gather input from residents and interested parties.
To register for the event, visit participate.adur-worthing.gov.uk.
The full vision document is available at democracy.adur-worthing.gov.uk.
Councillor Vicki Wells, Worthing’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “Worthing has made great strides in response to the biodiversity crisis since 2022 and building on this solid foundation, we must go further for nature.
“England is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, and everyone can help as part of the national, ecological call to action.
“The councils’ new long-term vision to support the area’s natural environment, demonstrably strengthens the town’s support for biodiversity.
“Crucially, it encourages and empowers residents to take part too.”
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