AN ENVIRONMENTAL education charity is urging the public to look after the outdoor green spaces they love as visitor numbers rise across Oxfordshire.

Earth Trust cares for hundreds of hectares of farmland and community green spaces in towns including woodland, wetlands and wildflower meadows and it has seen visitor numbers dramatically increase this year due to the pandemic.

However, as more people enjoy and discover their local green spaces the charity has found it has become increasingly difficult to take care of these outdoor oases with traffic, parked cars, litter, fires and wildlife disturbance also on the up.

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Jayne Manley, Earth Trust CEO, said: “Green spaces everywhere depend on us, and we depend on them. They are critical in the fight against climate change, home to the insects that pollinate our food crops, and essential for our physical and mental health and wellbeing.

"They are a part of British culture and heritage, and support our economy, tourism and recreation. If we want them to look after us in the future, we need to get serious about looking after them now.”

Oxford Mail:

Earth Trust has launched a campaign, Love It, Look After It, to encourage those enjoying green spaces this summer to help look after them as well.

The charity is keen to get the message out to everyone that that every action, no matter how small, can make a difference.

The campaign calls for people to simply pick up litter, sticking to footpaths to protect the habitats around them, giving livestock the space they need and the usual advice of parking considerately and picking up after your dog to allow other to also enjoy the outside space.

Earth Trust is hoping this advice does not just stay in Oxfordshire and that it will help keep these outdoor oases tidy everywhere.

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Ms Manley said: “Wherever you are this weekend, you can have a positive impact on the green spaces you love."

She suggests volunteering at environmental charities or talking to your local MP and councillors about how they can support existing green spaces and create new ones and encourage the government to work towards a green recovery.

She also encouraged people to join and share the #LoveItLookAfterIt campaign to protect a green space you love.

Ms Manley added: "You could even become a champion for your local green space by sharing your knowledge of the area with others.”

The message is supported by Edward Church from South Oxfordshire District Council. He said: "If visitors are considerate and responsible, these spaces will remain special for everyone to enjoy and nature to thrive."