Page 3 - August 2016 WN complete final version

NEWS IN BRIEF Matkhinangkasdtoiffyeoreunce

The Grange primary schoolchildren plant wild flowers into the banks of the Cherwell. Where there’s a Will…

Wild Banbury Did you know that three-quarters of us regularly give to charity at some point
in our lives (a big thank you to all of our members!), yet only 7% include a
Banbury residents are to set to enjoy the go-wild treatment thanks to the Wild charity in their Will?
Banbury project, which has now secured funding for its second phase. The project
has been awarded £93,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, together with grants Without the support of our members the work we do to protect the
from the town and district councils and nearly £28,000 from Grundon Waste wildlife found in the ancient woodlands, rare heathland, wildflower meadows,
Management. fens and bogs of our three counties simply wouldn’t be possible. Our existing
nature reserves play a crucial part in protecting wildlife, yet sadly wildlife
The money will provide new opportunities for community groups and outside these reserves continues to be lost at an alarming rate. It is only by
individuals to try out conservation skills such as scything. New wildlife habitats expanding and linking these pockets of wildlife-rich habitat that we can hope
will also be created in Spiceball Park and Hanwell Brook wetland by digging out to create the vital wildlife corridors necessary for nature to thrive.
ponds, clearing scrub and planting wild flowers. Work carried out in phase one of
the project saw the section of the River Cherwell that runs through Spiceball Park Leaving a gift for BBOWT in your Will can make a real difference to our
re-landscaped with new banks planted up with native flowers. work in helping to protect our countryside for future generations. Previous
gifts have made a significant impact on the Trust’s ability to acquire new
nature reserves such as Moor Copse, Warburg Nature Reserve and Meadow
Farm in the Upper Ray Meadows. Others have contributed towards new visitor
centres, including College Lake, ensuring that their love of nature lives on in
future generations. All gifts, whatever their size, empower us to work
for nature.

Trustee Barbara Muston (below) explains why she decided to remember
the Trust in her Will: “As a long-term BBOWT member, volunteer and, most
recently, a trustee, I’ve been able to see the work of the Trust from several angles
and I’m amazed at its complexity and bowled over by its achievements.

“On my home patch, I love watching the birds at College Lake, sitting among
the orchids at Aston Clinton Ragpits and cutting the scrub at Dancersend to
provide habitat for butterflies. These are very special places and by leaving a
legacy to BBOWT in my Will, I know that I am contributing in a small way to
ensuring they will continue to be there for future generations, and that the unique
habitats that they provide will continue to protect vulnerable birds, flowers, insects
and other animals. My legacy will also help BBOWT to spread the word about the
importance of nature to all of us, ensuring that it continues to be valued for years
to come. In an ever-changing world, that is something that I find both reassuring
and satisfying.”

ManedetCuosnfaetrtehneceBBOWT AGM

Members are invited to join us on Saturday 15 October for the 2016 Annual General
Meeting and Conference. We would love to meet you! The theme for this year’s
Conference is ‘Creating a Natural Health Service’ which will explore how nature
helps to make us happier and healthier.
Research has shown that
regular contact with nature
not only improves mental
and physical wellbeing, it
facilitates behavioural change
by encouraging people to
adopt healthier lifestyle choices.
Nature also provides benefits to
society by reducing pollution
and disease. An impact study
by the University of Derby on
The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days
Nature drives healthy lifestyle choices. Wild nature challenge in 2015
(Katherine Davies) showed that participants

experienced increased connection to nature, while the number of people reporting
their health as excellent jumped by more than 30% following the challenge.
Speakers at the Conference include Dr Jo Barton, Director of the Green Exercise
Group at the University of Essex. Her research explores the impact that green places,
both in the city and countryside have on our general sense of wellbeing, and how
green exercise can drive behaviour change in vulnerable groups. n Learn more about leaving a Will by downloading our free advice
The Annual General Meeting begins at 10am with the Conference following booklet at: bbowt.org.uk/legacy or call Membership for a copy.
lunch. The event will take place at Oxford Brookes University. To book your place
at the AGM and Conference visit bbowt.org.uk/conference or fill in and return the n To talk in confidence about leaving a gift, email membership@
response form accompanying this issue of Wildlife News. bbowt.org.uk or phone 01865 788300.

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