 Preparing to deploy the oysters
Thousands of native oysters have been introduced onto a newly built oyster reef in Chichester Harbour, as part of the UK’s largest subtidal oyster reef restoration project.
The Solent Seascape Project involves many local partners including charity Blue Marine Foundation, the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Marine Sciences, and Chichester Harbour Conservancy (which the county council is a member of).
Native oyster populations in the Solent have fallen by around 96% over the past century. The species is important as a single oyster can filter up to 200 litres of water a day, helping improve water quality, while oyster reefs also create habitats for hundreds of marine species and help protect coastlines from erosion.
The project to restore some of the Solent’s most threatened coastal habitats was helped by volunteers who help prepare the 20,000 oysters for deployment. Further phases of the project are planned later this year and over the next two years.
 Bundling wood used to create a 'leaky dam'
The Adur Adaptation Project is a partnership-led initiative delivering practical, nature-based solutions to restore the river catchment's natural ability to slow down and store water while enhancing the environment. Led by the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust, in collaboration with the Environment Agency and the county council, the project reflects a shared commitment to working with natural processes to create long-term resilience, in line with our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
The project uses natural flood management techniques, like “leaky dams” and creation of wetland habitat and floodplain woodland, to slow and store water upstream (with an ambition to cut peak flows by 10%). These measures help to lower flood risk for communities in the Adur Valley, including places such as Upper Beeding and Bramber. Last year county council senior leaders and members visited New England Wood, one of the project sites, to learn more and help build leaky dams.
 You can now purchase locally produced soil conditioner compost from all West Sussex Recycling Centres.
Garden waste collected from our centres is composted and transformed into Revive, a high‑quality soil conditioner suitable for domestic use. It adds organic matter and nutrients to the soil, helping improve structure and manage moisture, and can also suppress weeds when used as a mulch.
This approach means materials are collected, processed and reused here in West Sussex, reducing waste, cutting carbon, and supporting a more sustainable local environment.
Bags can be purchased and collected from any West Sussex Recycling Centre.
 A wildfire on Iping Common
Our Fire & Rescue Service has set out how it will manage risks in the county, including those caused by climate change and extreme weather such as wildfires and flooding.
The Community Risk Management Plan sets out how the service will prevent emergencies and protect people and property focusing on five priorities: prevention, protection (safer buildings), effective response, a safe and valued workforce, and making best use of resources.
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Chidham and Hambrook Parish Council are to receive £4,483 from our Operation Watershed funding to help a local project that reduces flood risk and help the community be better prepared for flooding.
- Our award-winning Community Food Hubs, delivered with UKHarvest, have been extended until April 2027. Since launching in April 2023, the scheme has saved over 128 tonnes of surplus food, fed 11,500 people in the last year, and helped 85% of participants surveyed to reduce food waste at home.
- We're supporting The Big Fix by sharing details of local repair cafes, hosting an online forum for repair tips, and helping more people embrace a repair-and-reuse lifestyle. Find out more about local repair cafes and tips for repairing at home.
- Steyning Festival is hosting a talk about Sustainable Farming and how it can be an investment in a better future by Patrick Holden and others on 27 May at 7.30pm. Booking is essential in advance.
- Running over two weekends in May and June, the Tree Festival 2026 (organised by CPRE Sussex, volunteers and local groups), is running events for everyone to enjoy, from talks and walks to poetry and music.
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.
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