Page 2 - Wildlife News August 2017
P. 2
Nature reserve & project
Humans evolved XFORD Children get hands on
as an inherent FESTIVAL OF with a slippery character
part of nature and
for millennia it’s NATURE during the Wild Fair.
sustained us. Nature
keeps us sane, fit and (RIC MELLIS)
healthy. It provides
us with the ‘natural services’ we rely Wild festival season
on, from food to medicine. Yet nature Festival-goers have been having a wild garden to an up-close encounter with
is increasingly taken for granted as time at BBOWT’s summer festivals. First to birds of prey.
we become disconnected from it. wow nature lovers was June’s fortnight-
Our physical and spiritual wellbeing long Oxford Festival of Nature. Now a firm A selection of stunning photographs
is suffering as a result, and there’s fixture in the city’s calendar, the festival was displayed to show off the
overwhelming evidence to prove it. welcomed nature lovers to more than exceptionally high standard to many of
Our focus at BBOWT isn’t just 60 separate events held across Oxford the entries already received to this year’s
about today; it’s about tomorrow and beyond. Activities included a moth Wildlife Photography Competition. There’s
too. We exist to defend nature, identification and recording session, still time to take part – entries need to
provide local refuges for wildlife detecting echo-locating bats, an evening be in by 9am on Monday 2 October.
and to influence those with the of stand-up comedy with a conservation Visit oxfordfestivalofnature.org/
power to protect already fragile twist, and nature-themed cruises along photography-competition for all the
wildlife to ensure it exists for future the Thames. details.
generations.
We will only achieve this once the Sponsored by Freeths and run in Milton Keynes continued the festival
importance of nature is recognised partnership with Oxford City Council fun with eight days of wildlife events
by everyone. This is why we take our and the Oxford University Museum of in July. The MK Festival of Nature is a
role of connecting more people to Natural History, the centrepiece of the new partnership between BBOWT, The
nature so seriously. Our feature on festival was the Wild Fair, held at the Parks Trust and Milton Keynes Natural
page 8 highlights just a few of the museum. More than 7,500 people enjoyed History Society and offered residents and
people-focused projects looking to a range of crafts, stalls, talks and displays visitors imaginative ways to explore the
introduce more of us to the natural – everything from the pop-up wildlife sometimes surprising variety of wildlife to
world. The more we appreciate be found within the town.
nature, the louder the voice for nature Crowds enjoy the Wild Fair. (wendy tobitt)
becomes. The Nature Day at Howe Park Wood
We can also influence the health kicked off the festival with a flourish,
of nature through the food we offering lots to see and do, from pond
eat. So this October our AGM and dipping to bug hunting. Events that
Conference will explore the topic of followed during the week included
food and farming. Farming needn’t activities as diverse as orienteering in
work against wildlife. It can be part of Linford Wood, discovering the nocturnal
the solution to creating a wildlife-rich aviators of Linford Lakes Nature Reserve
countryside. Farmers understand the and exploring the hidden wildlife gems of
benefits of working with nature – the the Grand Union Canal.
proof is in their bottom line. BBOWT
will continue to work with farmers The MK Festival of Nature proved a big
to support nature-based farming success and was the first of what we hope
practices and real stewardship of our will be many more wildlife festivals in
countryside. Milton Keynes.
I hope you have a great summer.
Don’t forget to visit at least a few of
our nature reserves – they showcase
the very best of our local wildlife!
And I look forward to meeting many
of you at the Conference.
Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive
2 Wildlife news / August 2017
