Surrey Small Blue Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones will restore essential breeding habitat for the Small Blue butterfly across a network of sites on the North Downs between Guildford and Dorking. Targeted conservation work will increase Small Blue numbers and improve connectivity (stepping stones) between sites to enable the natural colonisation of previously occupied sites. Increasing the size and number of colonies will ensure a resilient and sustainable Small Blue population is established.

Although common at the start of the 20th century, the Small Blue is now found on just 26 sites in Surrey. With small and fragmented colonies being particularly vulnerable to loss urgent intervention is required to secure the future of this species within the county.

This 18-month project will be led by a part-time Project Officer who will supervise a programme of practical conservation work by contractors and volunteers.