Our roles

Local botanical experts regularly survey the wildlife of the site, often using climbing techniques to access difficult areas of the Gorge. The Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge annually record butterflies, the rare silky wave moths are monitored by Bristol Zoological Society, and Bristol Ornithological Club records breeding peregrine success. The project undertakes a monthly bird survey in partnership with Bristol Ornithological Club to monitor the richness and abundance of bird species in four transects on the Downs and in the Gully and we monitor pollinators in different areas of the Downs. This will inform us on the health of our Downs and Avon Gorge ecological network over the years. We also encourage students of A level and higher education to survey the flowering plant species on the Downs.

For further information visit our research and monitoring section.

We protect rare plants in the Avon Gorge by controlling scrub and non-native plants. In most areas we do this by cutting back scrub and introduced plants by hand. However, in a specially fenced area, known as the Gully, we have introduced a small herd of goats. They’re here to restore wildflower-rich grassland by munching the scrub, bramble and ivy, thereby making space for the rare plants to flourish. Meadow and semi-improved grassland areas on the Downs are left un-mown during the spring and summer. After the plants have had time flower and set seed the meadows are cut to make hay, replicating a typical grazing pattern. Some small grassland areas are left uncut for 2 years, in rotation. This provides valuable habitat for overwintering invertebrates, and other species.

For further information visit our conservation section.

We provide opportunities to discover, learn about, enjoy and value the wildlife of the Gorge and Downs. We deliver engagement sessions for schools, playschemes, uniformed and other groups throughout the year, and run a popular programme of walks, talks, courses, family and children’s activities.

For community and other groups there are walks and talks available. These cater for a very varied audience, some being hobby-focussed (e.g. gardening groups, WIs, Rotary club…), others have a community involvement, social or health remit such as Headway, working with people recovering from brain injury, ‘Five ways to wellbeing’, coordinated by Inner City and East Bristol Health Improvement Team,  Bridges for Communities, who work with refugees and asylum seekers and Ups and Downs, a youth club for young people with Downs Syndrome.

For people who want to explore the site at their own pace there are interpretation panels at various points around the Downs. A range of leaflets are available to download and our Treeburt family tree trail activities are available here.

Displays showcasing the rare plants of the Avon Gorge can be found at the Brunel Garden at Clifton Suspension Bridge and at the University of Bristol Botanic Gardens.

What’s on | Learn and discover | Treeburt family trail| Community groups | Leaflets & trails

Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge

Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge was established in 2008 and is involved in conserving the Downs and Avon Gorge. It chairs the Downs Advisory Panel set up in 2023 as a means for the general public to raise issues with the Downs Committee. The Downs Advisory Panel is made up of people from a variety of interested and expert bodies and advises the Downs Committee on issues pertaining to the Downs.

As a voluntary multi-interest group, Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge act independently to:

• monitor, work with and influence the Downs Committee, Bristol City Council and all those involved in the management, maintenance and improvement of the Gorge and Downs.
• protect and enhance the Downs and the Gorge for the benefit both of all its users and its wildlife.
• to consult with, and represent, the views and aspirations of all users.

Members are actively engaged in a variety of projects, such as restoration projects, conservation and education. Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge run a full programme of talks, walks and events as well as volunteer programmes such as wildlife monitoring and deep litter clean-ups.