Page 9 - Wildlife News Dec 2017

From the Chair

Lteotg’sewthoerkr

Barbara Muston is the new
Chair of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon
Wildlife Trust. Here she shares her

ambitions for the coming years

Barbara at Aston Clinton Ragpits.
(RIC MELLIS)

I never imagined, some 20 years ago when I volunteered as a During the last few months I have visited the county teams,
stock watcher at Aston Clinton Ragpits, that one day I would met volunteers and staff, and discovered more of our reserves. I’ve
become Chair of BBOWT. But here I am and I’m thrilled been hugely impressed and am excited for the future. BBOWT is
to have the opportunity to steer this fantastic organisation in great shape. As we grow, we’re becoming more efficient in how
through the uncertainty of the next few years. we manage land. And we’re getting better at working with others
– landowners, companies and Government – to influence and
I have lived in Buckinghamshire for more than 35 years, progress the cause of a wildlife-rich countryside.
close to the Ragpits and Dancersend with Pavis Woods. I’ve
come to love these nature reserves and have learned so much Your support is vital because it gives us the resources and
through them, not least how to encourage wildlife into my authority to achieve all of this and, of course, our volunteers
garden, where I’m lucky to have six varieties of orchid growing help us along the way. Thank you to all of you. Let’s keep up the
abundantly. good work!

Looking at the challenges wildlife faces – climate change, Aston Clinton Ragpits is an orchid stronghold.
development, intensive agriculture – it would be all too easy to (kate titford)
think that it’s doomed. That, however, is not what BBOWT does!
Our current Strategic Plan has bold ambitions that I hope, as Chair
I’ll be able to help the Trust achieve in full.

Future Government policy towards the environment is
uncertain. Yet we are on track and we can reach our goals by
continuing to take small steps, being light on our feet, speaking
up for wildlife and grasping opportunities as they arise. We need
to get this right, so that local wildlife becomes more resilient and
more of us are connected to and engaged with nature.

At the same time, with increasing expectations of greater
transparency, BBOWT must maintain its own high standards
and remain vigilant around ever-shifting regulations. One of the
challenges we face is ensuring that the data we hold about you is
used in a way that is both clear to you and that meets ever tighter
standards.

Wildlife news / December 2017 9