50 years of action for wildlife

From beech woods in the Chilterns to flower meadows along the Thames, the trust cares for all sorts of precious habitat and rare species, inviting everyone to enjoy the wildlife on their doorstep — and working hard to ensure that they will still be there in another 50 years’ time, for future generations to enjoy too.

But where did BBOWT come from? And will it really still be there in 2059?

Like so many good causes, BBOWT came into being through the actions of a few concerned local people.

After the Second World War, Britain’s countryside was undergoing dramatic transformations.

In an effort to build up the nation’s resources, the Government was planting swathes of coniferous forest, and backing intensive farming that would grow food quickly — but not everyone was happy.

Amateur naturalists could see that these well-intentioned plans would have a devastating impact on the local environment, potentially wiping out whole habitats and species.

There was a real danger that areas rich in wildlife could be lost forever —and that is when local people decided something had to be done.

In Oxford, on November 14, 1959, a dedicated group of naturalists came together at the City of Oxford School, in New Inn Hall Street, to form the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Naturalists’ Trust (BBONT) — a name that later changed to the wildlife trust, the BBOWT that we know today.

Andrew Hurst, the last remaining founding member, now 95, recalls the excitement and spirit of the time. “We were feeling our way to find out how to protect our local wildlife, how to acquire nature reserves and how to educate the public about the natural world. In the early days, a lot of land was given or sold to the trust by friends of the trust’s first members.”

The trust began to look out for land that was important for wildlife, and in 1961 acquired its first nature reserve — Conigre Pond, near Chinnor. The reserve was leased to the trust by a Mr Fletcher, who agreed to receive an annual rent of one peppercorn.

As the trust grew in size, so did its ambitions to undertake bigger conservation efforts. As ever, local people’s determination was the key to BBOWT’s plans becoming a reality.

One local volunteer, Vera Paul, then headteacher at a Henley school, was adamant that the ancient woodland and chalk grassland she loved to walk through should be protected for nature. So, in 1967, she embarked upon an appeal to raise £23,000 — and the 265-acre Warburg nature reserve near Henley was created.

Today, thanks to the efforts of people like Vera, the trust cares for more than 1,700 hectares of land across 79 sites, protecting some of our best-loved and most threatened habitats and species.

Over the years, the cry of the curlew at Chimney Meadows, the nod of snake’s head fritillary at Iffley Meadows, or the shimmering butterflies in a woodland glade have brought joy to hundreds of thousands of people.

Despite being tended with the most attentive care, any one of BBOWT’s nature reserves can still spring the odd unexpected surprise.

Last year, a volunteer spotted polecats — a creature rarely seen in these three counties — at the College Lake nature reserve near Aylesbury.

When BBOWT let the team at BBC’s Springwatch know, presenter Simon King was down at College Lake like a shot, to enjoy his first sighting of polecats in their natural environment.

In 1992, the trust embarked on its first major species recovery project aimed at restoring an otter population in substantial decline due to hunting, pollution and development. Sir David Attenborough, who launched the project, said: “The otter is one of our most enchanting animals. Everyone will benefit if we succeed in this.

“It is a chance for us to put right some of the damage done to our wildlife.”

Today, thanks to efforts like these, otters are present on all our major rivers, and can even be seen in our towns and cities.

Philippa Lyons, BBOWT’s chief executive, is passionate about the natural environment, arguing it is as important as ever, and is central to our wellbeing in today’s world.

“It provides us with so much, from the essentials for life through to curiosity and wonderment, especially for the young.

“Yet the effects of climate change and further development will present us with new challenges. We have to find a new, broader approach to conservation — and that is why our latest Living Landscapes initiative is vital.”

The idea of Living Landscapes is to link existing pockets of nature, whether they are nature reserves, parks or people’s own gardens, to create larger areas managed for wildlife and people. The success of this bold venture will depend, as BBOWT’s work always has, on local people.

“Ensuring that wildlife can thrive into the future will require the same fire and determination that ordinary people showed 50 years ago,” said Philippa, “and I am convinced that the spirit is still there.”

To find out more about how to join or volunteer for BBOWT go to www.bbowt.org.uk