Ashdown Forest Trust

Ashdown Forest Trust, established in 1988 by declaration of trust with East Sussex County Council as its sole trustee, is dedicated to safeguarding the unique landscape, biodiversity, and cultural heritage of Ashdown Forest—a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area for birds, and Special Area of Conservation in East Sussex, England. Its core mission centers on promoting conservation as a quiet natural area of outstanding beauty, while ensuring public amenity, enjoyment, education, health, and recreation in harmony with protecting rare heathland habitats and wildlife. The Trust acts as a stewardship funder, channeling resources exclusively to the Conservators of Ashdown Forest—the statutory body managing the site since 1885—to support woodland management, conservation grazing, invasive species control, habitat restoration, visitor management, educational programs, and infrastructure for open access.

Funding priorities encompass environmental conservation, biodiversity enhancement, cultural heritage preservation, and community well-being through public engagement, with beneficiaries being the general public and visitors to the Forest, the largest open public space in South East England. Grants cover project costs, core operations, capital improvements, and program delivery tied directly to these activities.

Eligibility is highly restrictive: funding goes solely to the Conservators of Ashdown Forest, a statutory body with over £1 million annual income; no other entities qualify, regardless of size, and unsolicited applications from external charities or groups are not accepted. Typical annual grants range from £29,000 to £65,000, decided internally via East Sussex County Council meetings and annual budget cycles, with no public deadlines, application forms, or open calls.

Distinctively, the Trust does not support broader projects, unrestricted funding, or external organizations, maintaining a laser-focused, closed-loop approach to underwrite statutory conservation priorities, setting it apart as an endowed partner uniquely aligned with official Forest stewardship rather than generalist philanthropy.