The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is one of 47 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK to achieve the shared aim of securing a better future for wildlife.
BBOWT was founded in 1959 (as the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Naturalist Trust - BBONT) by local ecologists who could see the extent of harm being done to the wonderfully rich natural environment of the three counties. For over 50 years we have worked with local people to make Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire richer in wildlife.
BBOWT currently has about 54,000 members and more than 1,300 active volunteers. It is thanks to our members and volunteers that we are able to keep going - we do not receive any core governmental funding. Our income comes from a range of sources including grants, legacies, business support and charitable trusts donations, but most important of all are our membership subscriptions......
What we do:
We protect wildlife
We work to give wildlife a helping hand across the three counties. This includes monitoring species and running projects to support declining species such as water voles, and threatened habitats such as chalk grassland.
We look after nature reserves
We look after 80 nature reserves spanning more than 1,700 hectares. Our nature reserves are central to our work to secure a better future for wildlife.
We create Living Landscapes
We work with other landowners to create Living Landscapes for the benefit of wildlife and people. Large-scale projects bring large-scale benefits for wildlife.
We provide wildlife advice
We offer advice to individuals, planners, developers and landowners about how to protect and enhance gardens and habitats for wildlife.
We campaign for wildlife
We run campaigns to save precious habitats and vulnerable species. We work with politicians, planners and members of the public to influence policy and decisions affecting wildlife.
We educate people about wildlife
We put on education programmes and events that inspire people about wildlife to ensure that as many people as possible appreciate the precious natural resources of our three counties.
Take a look at our website: www.bbowt.org.uk
or contact: rhiannonharrington@bbowt.org.uk
Cash awards for Berkshire’s nature and community projects
Community groups across Berkshire with projects that improve their local area for both people and wildlife have the chance to win grants to help them succeed with their vision.
The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust is calling on all local community and environmental groups to apply for the Dorothy Morley Conservation Award 2016. Applicants will have the chance to win the award with £1000 grant to go towards the winning project. One runner up will also receive a grant of £500. The closing date for applications is 31 May. Judging will be held in June and the winners announced in July.
Daniel Akam, Berkshire Community Wildlife Officer, explains: “Applicants can be residents’ groups, village societies, conservation groups or any other group in Berkshire working on a local nature and wildlife project, no matter how big or small. They could be digging ponds, planting hedgerows and trees, making new trails and enabling wildlife to thrive close to where they live; the key element is that it must be in a publicly accessible place.”
The Award scheme highlights all the superb work done by volunteers for the benefit of their local community and wildlife. Successful winners in the past find that the publicity and the grant had a really positive effect on the popularity of their local green spaces and for the communities that use them.
The Mumbery Nature Reserve Volunteers in Wargrave received the Dorothy Morley Conservation Award in 2014. Ian Bradley from the group explained what happened next: “The award really helped put Mumbery nature reserve on the map. The funding enabled us to create a new interpretation board giving information about the reserve and what to look for throughout the year. The Piggott School Sixth Form design students helped with the design work; it's great to get everyone in the community involved.”
The bi-annual Dorothy Morley Conservation Award scheme is a tribute to the memory of dedicated conservationist Dorothy Morley who lived near Newbury. It was set up in 2000 and continues to support local groups and their projects thanks to the outstanding generosity of the Morley family.
Visit Dorothy Morley Conservation Award for full details, or email dmaward@bbowt.org.uk. Application packs are also available from the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, Woolley Firs, Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead, SL6 3LJ. More information from Daniel Akam, Community Wildlife Officer, 01628 829574 ext. 202.