Page 15 - Annual Review 2014-15

Thank you from BBOWT

From our
Chairman

Without the enthusiastic
contributions made by
our 51,000 members, 1,410
volunteers and over 100 staff,
the natural world here would be a much poorer place.
The recent years of recession were challenging
and recruiting new members was hard work. However,
despite hard economic times our existing members
have voluntarily increased their annual subscriptions.
Our income has held up well thanks to this mark of
confidence in us shown by our members – thank you!
In the coming months we will launch a new five-
year Strategic Plan for BBOWT. At the heart of our last
plan were Living Landscapes: connecting habitats so
that species can thrive.
The core of our West Berkshire Living Landscape,
where we and our partners are creating favourable
large-scale conditions for wildlife to flourish, includes
several of the nine sites that BBOWT manages on behalf
of West Berkshire Council.
In Bucks, the Ray Valley Restoration Project,
enhanced by the wonderful Meadow Farm, is a
Living Landscape in the making. Partnership with
other organisations is the key to securing the wide
geographical spread of places favourable for wildlife.
Chimney Meadows, at the heart of the Upper
Thames Living Landscape in Oxon, is demonstrating
how good agricultural practice and increasing
biodiversity can coexist for the benefit of all.
One of the big challenges outlined in our new
Strategic Plan is engaging more people with nature.
Encouraging children’s curiosity for the natural world
and giving young people opportunities to work in
conservation will help to secure a future for our local
wildlife.

Sir Clive Booth 15
Chairman

© Mick Jones, marsh helleborine © Kate Dent, devil’s-bit scabious © John Morris, Dukes Lock Pond © Erin Murton, Wild Oxford © Andy Gunn, volunteers © Jess Gallagher,
n © Ric Mellis, green hairstreak © Mick Jones, back page My Wild Life images © Laura Parker, Wendy Tobitt, Ric Mellis, Andy Fairbairn and Stacey Doran.