We are seeking responses to a survey on dog walking behaviour from people who walk dogs in the South Downs National Park including dog owners, as well as those who walk dogs for others, such as dog walking professionals.

We would be most grateful if you could please help to circulate information about the survey, along with a link to the survey itself by sharing the link via your website /e-newsletters /to staff/ local residents/ community groups where possible. The survey will run until 13 November. Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KYPV7YM

The National Park Authority is promoting a campaign (‘Take the Lead’) to encourage responsible dog walking and reduce the negative impact of certain dog walking behaviours on heathland and other habitats. This survey of dog walking behaviours is a follow up to one undertaken in 2018 and will allow us to assess how dog walking behaviours have changed over the lifetime of the campaign.

Collingwood Environmental Planning has been commissioned by the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) to undertake the survey to find out more about dog walking behaviour in the heathlands of the National Park, as part of the National Lottery Heritage Funded Heathlands Reunited project.

The survey results will be used to inform project activities aimed at conserving and improving heathlands sites and will contribute to a report.

We do hope that you may be able to help us to publicise the survey and encourage dog walkers to complete it. In case helpful, we have provided some suggested text to use in sharing information about the survey, and the survey link – see below. We’d be very happy to provide any further information if needed.

Many thanks

Emma Stanbury

Heathlands Reunited Project Officer

South Downs National Park Authority

[email protected]