by
Chase & Chalke
24th October 2025
The Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme officially ended in June 2025, after five years of hard work. Since then, Wingspan Consultancy have been busy finalising the Scheme’s Evaluation Report, reflecting on what worked and what could be improved for the future.
Their final report, based upon a range of information including surveys and interviews, shows how collaboration, creativity and community involvement have combined to celebrate and protect our very special landscape.
The report reveals that the Scheme saw 699 volunteers, with 456 actively contributing over 24,000 hours to heritage and environmental projects. Through 1,000+ events, a wide range of people, including families and schools, engaged in nature, history and the arts. Volunteers gained skills in areas like archaeology and woodland management, with some planning careers in heritage. The environment benefitted through river, grassland and woodland restoration. The Scheme also preserved local culture through stories, performances and recordings. Success was supported by strong partnerships with over a dozen organisations.
A lot has been learnt from the Scheme, the report reveals, and the lessons and recommendations will be useful for funders and similar projects, as well as those who continue to manage the Cranborne Chase landscape.
What the report makes very clear is that the Scheme has made a lasting difference to people, places and nature. It has helped reconnect communities to their landscape, inspired creative responses to heritage, and protected important habitats and stories for future generations. While there were some challenges, the overall achievements are impressive and widely recognised by partners, funders and local people alike. We would like to thank everyone who got involved, participated in events and supported us along the way.