2023
Conservation grazing – the Liz Williams Butterfly Haven
Conservation grazing – the Liz Williams Butterfly Haven

The annual visit of the Sussex Wildlife Trust flock is instrumental in the effective management of the butterfly haven ensuring the grasses are kept in check so the wild flowers can flourish.

Celebrating the Brown Hairstreak
Celebrating the Brown Hairstreak

We are delighted that a colony of Brown Hairstreak butterflies is establishing on the Liz Williams Butterfly Haven.

Coldean Lane Wildflower Meadow
Coldean Lane Wildflower Meadow

It’s not uncommon for people to regret tuning into the news these days because so frequently its negative and we all know that continued exposure to bleak and dismal announcements can lead to poor mental health. Therefore, during my career as a Biodiversity Educationalist I have made every effort I…
Read More

2022
Dorothy Stringer students plant up hedgerow

Under the supervision of Big Nature staff, students from Dorothy Stringer school planted up a Blackthorn hedge along the western boundary of the butterfly haven. This plant is essential for the establishment of the Brown Hairstreak colony.

B&H Mayor – Lizzie Deane inaugurates the LWBH
B&H Mayor – Lizzie Deane inaugurates the LWBH

The rain stopped just in time for the inauguration of the Liz Williams Butterfly Haven at Dorothy Stringer. It was officially opened by the mayor who was joined by students and staff from Dorothy Stringer, Varndean, Balfour, Varndean College6* and Downs View Link College, all of which share parts of…
Read More

New interpretation boards for LWBH
New interpretation boards for LWBH

We are delighted to reveal the new interpretation boards for the Liz Williams Butterfly Haven.

2021
Waitrose Donation
Waitrose Donation

Big Nature is delighted to be the facilitating organisation that allowed students from Dorothy Stringer School - Brighton, to join the Friends of the Liz Williams Butterfly Haven to receive a cheque for £1000 from the staff of both the Hove and Brighton branches of Waitrose. The Liz Williams Butterfly…
Read More

SWT Sheep arrive at Liz Williams Butterfly Haven
SWT Sheep arrive at Liz Williams Butterfly Haven

We are delighted to be able to facilitate the Sussex Wildlife Trust's sheep to visit the Liz Williams Butterfly Haven to help maintain the habitat restoration here. Chalk Grass Downland is one of the most biodiverse, but also one of the rarest semi-natural habitats in the UK. It is the…
Read More

Woodland Management at Dorothy Stringer Woods
Woodland Management at Dorothy Stringer Woods

Big Nature was able to support students and their families help manage the Dorothy Stringer Woodland for nature. This involved coppicing some of the Hazel to open up part of the woodland. Various plants and animals take advantage of this opening in the summer. It takes about 10 years for…
Read More

New Fence for Liz Williams Butterfly Haven
New Fence for Liz Williams Butterfly Haven

Following a grant from the Brighton & Hove Communities Fund and working in conjunction with Dorothy Stringer School which also secured funding from The Chapman Charitable Trust and The Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust, we have been able to purchase and install a new stock proof fence for the Liz Williams…
Read More