Page 2 - Wildlife News December 2015

Comment Wildlife News ■ December 2015

We’re a charity on a mission! It is with excitement that we look Contents
forward to the launch of our new five-year Strategic Plan that
will take us up to 2020. But this is also a time to look back at the 3 BBOWT in 2015
incredible results we have secured for wildlife and people over 4 Nature reserve and project news
the past five years – and all thanks to your support. You can 6 Seasonal highlights
discover some of these highlights on page 12. It’s humbling to 8 Nature in Trust
see just how much has been achieved. 10 Wild new frontiers
12 Look what you’ve acheived!
So it is with eyes wide open that we look forward to a fresh set 15 Hot topics
of challenges over the next plan period. The prize is big but we 16 National news
have our work cut out. The current political climate is driven by economic growth, bringing 20 Every Child Wild
new housing, roads and railways, minerals extraction and so on. But at what cost? 22 Meadow comeback
During the coming years the rural landscape, urban green spaces and green belt of our
three counties will be nibbled away and carved up to make way for major infrastructure. Follow us on
You might be shocked to hear that only 6% of our area is considered to be ‘wildlife rich’; social media
a significant proportion of that is made up of BBOWT’s nature reserves. At the same time
laws to protect the natural environment are being weakened. We find ourselves at an Read Wildlife News online at bbowt.org.uk/publications to
unprecedented turning point. Not since the 1950s has the natural environment been so enjoy additional content such as videos.
vulnerable. Society will need charities like BBOWT more than ever before. So while we have Copy date for next issue: Monday 11 February 2016.
much to celebrate, our greatest challenges are still to come. We welcome your views and news; please send to the editor
We have an exciting vision for the future that stretches far beyond the next five years. at wildlifenews@bbowt.org.uk.
We will continue to build on our achievements, working to ensure nature is core to © Copyright Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust 2015
everyone’s thinking. Our new Strategic Plan paves the way for a new journey with the aim
of increasing the proportion of wildlife-rich habitat in our three counties to 10%. We will do Editor: Ben Vanheems
this by focusing our work on four broad themes: restoring nature; engaging with people Contributors: Ian Stevenson, Christopher Williams, Neil
and their communities; benefiting nature and society together; and building partnerships Rowntree, Ben Vanheems, Matt Jackson
for nature. We’re on a mission to restore nature by linking up wild places across rural and
urban areas and, importantly, to reconnect people to nature. Editor of UK content: Rupert Paul
Many of you may have seen the press stories about charity fundraising. The practices
of some larger charities, particularly in selling personal data, has led to changes in the Cover photograph: Robin (Colin Varndell/NPL)
way we can contact our existing members. We share the broader concerns of the public
surrounding charities that use personal data in an inappropriate way to contact their A large-print version of
members. But while we welcome changes to regulations that better protect people, the Wildlife News (text only)
fallout for smaller charities like us will hit hard. Rest assured that BBOWT has never sold on is available on request.
your personal details. Please get in touch should you have any concerns. Please tel. 01865 775476 or
You are part of an amazing organisation that will continue to fight for nature and a email info@bbowt.org.uk
better place to live in perpetuity. Thank you, as ever, for your ongoing support.

Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive

Estelle with speakers Prof Chris Baines, Lucy McRobert and Martin Ballard at the recent BBOWT Designed and produced by NatureBureau, Newbury
annual conference. The conference explored how development and the natural environment www.naturebureau.co.uk
can coexist in our increasingly urbanising region. (Andy Fairbairn)
Printed by Headley Brothers Ltd

Contact us:
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, The Lodge,
1 Armstrong Road, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 4XT
Tel: 01865 775476
Email: info@bbowt.org.uk
www.bbowt.org.uk
Membership
Tel: 01865 788300
Email: membership@bbowt.org.uk
President: Steve Backshall
Chairman: Sir Clive Booth
Chief Executive: Estelle Bailey

The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust is one of 47 Wildlife
Trusts working across the country to protect wildlife and
wild places everywhere – on land and at sea.
Registered charity number: 204330

2 Wildlife news