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Welcome to our August newsletter, containing all the latest news and updates from across West Sussex.
We've just published our updated Local Flood Risk Management Strategy which sets out our approach to managing and reducing the risk of flooding across West Sussex.
Because floods can have a devastating impact on people’s lives, we worked with residents to understand the causes and impact of flooding.
Using extensive data collection, stakeholder engagement and a public consultation, our new strategy is designed to have a positive impact on the whole county’s environment, economy, and communities.
 The Story Garden Summer Reading Challenge is well underway at all West Sussex libraries. Children of all ages can join in this free initiative, which combines reading with nature and the great outdoors.
The challenge runs until Saturday 13 September and is open to children aged 4 to 11.
This is a great way to get young people interested in our environment and inspire them to take action to address climate change – one of our aims in our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
A new pollinator highway has been created in Worthing, marking the fourth such initiative in West Sussex.
A pollinator highway connects habitats, creating a wildlife corridor for travelling bees, moths, butterflies and wasps to link up Community Road Verges and other wild areas.
This new highway stretches from Brooklands Park on the seafront, heading west along the A259 and Marine Parade, past the pier, and ending at Heene Terrace in Worthing.
Coordinated and maintained by Worthing Borough Council and a team of dedicated volunteers, the initiative encourages everyone living and working along the route to 'rewild' their own green spaces, creating a connected haven for pollinators.
We’ve updated our online climate vulnerability tool which can be used to assess the impacts that climate change could have on our local communities in future.
The Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) was produced by the county council in partnership with the University of Brighton, and includes data from a wealth of national and local sources including the UK Census, government departments, and the Met Office.
Supporting and enabling our communities to address climate change is a key pathway in our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. The CVI can be used to explore the unique characteristics of different communities that could make them more or less vulnerable to the impacts of our changing climate. It considers demographics, community features, and exposure to environmental hazards.
So far the tool has been used to support council planning and community engagement. The recent updates include more detailed data on a community’s vulnerability to heat and flooding, and more sophisticated statistics to improve the results.
The tool is aimed at decision makers, community groups, and businesses, but can also be accessed and used by residents. If you’d like a bespoke risk report created for your community, email CVI@westsussex.gov.uk and a member of our sustainability team will be in touch.
Thinking about picking up a new bike for yourself or your child this summer? Why not take a look at the reuse shops over at the Worthing and Billingshurst Recycling Centres? They regularly have a great selection of bikes in excellent condition, all looking for a second life.
But it's not just bikes! The reuse shops have lots of treasures, including books, furniture, plant pots and more!
Save money and reduce waste, it's a win-win! No appointment is necessary to browse the shops, but if you would like to donate, please remember to book a slot before you arrive.
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Seven vineyards across the South Downs are set to produce fizz more sustainably after benefitting from climate action grants from West Sussex local authorities.
- Thank you to everyone who took part in our recent recycling survey! Remember, in West Sussex, you can recycle all colours of plastic bottles, pots, tubs, and trays, as long as they’re clean, dry, and loose. Watch our YouTube video to find out more. Plastic bags and wrapping, like crisp packets and carrier bags, cannot be recycled at home in West Sussex due to the way our recycling facility works. Please take these materials to your local supermarket for recycling.
- The High Weald Walking Festival invites you to get your boots on and explore the High Weald National Landscape, and discover local history and admire breath-taking views. The festival is free and runs from 13 to 21 September 2025.
- Anyone in the Lost Woods Project zone, a vast area stretching across Sussex, is invited to join a 'Seeding Ideas' community get-together in Ditchling on 19 September. This event brings community together to celebrate and nurture both woodlands and the people who care for them and includes workshops, films and learning activities. Find out more information and book tickets.
If you have any questions, or want to share local climate action stories, email us at climatechange@westsussex.gov.uk.
Join our community of climate champions and add a new map pin to our Community Climate Action Map.
Passionate about your local environment? Do you know someone who would like this newsletter? Please forward it to them so they can sign up using the link below.
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