About Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust or BBOWT) is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts across the UK, working to achieve the shared aim of securing a better future for wildlife.
BBOWT is a leading regional conservation charity dedicated to protecting wildlife, restoring habitats and reconnecting people with nature across the three counties. It has a wilder vision of more nature everywhere for everyone and aims to put nature into recovery on 30% of land across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire by 2030. With over 55,000 members, it brings people and nature together to protect and restore the environment.
Working across a diverse landscape of ancient woodlands, chalk streams, wildflower meadows, wetlands and heathland, BBOWT manages more than 80 nature reserves. These protected sites play a vital role in safeguarding biodiversity while also providing accessible green spaces for people to explore, learn and enjoy.
Its experts work alongside more than 1,700 volunteers to care for these reserves, deliver conservation projects, support five education centres and run hundreds of events each year. The Trust relies on the generosity of individuals, charitable trusts and businesses to continue its work.
Conservation priorities and approach
BBOWT’s work spans habitat restoration, species protection and long-term landscape recovery, with a strong focus on reversing biodiversity loss. Key conservation priorities include protecting iconic and vulnerable species such as hedgehogs, dormice, butterflies and native birds, as well as improving ecological connectivity across fragmented landscapes.
The Trust also plays a growing role in promoting nature-based solutions to environmental challenges, including natural flood management and rewilding initiatives that support both wildlife and climate resilience.
What BBOWT does
- Manages nature reserves: Cares for over 80 nature reserves across the three counties, protecting habitats including ancient woodland, wildflower meadows, wetlands and heathland.
- Restores wildlife habitats: Delivers conservation projects that restore and reconnect landscapes, helping native species to thrive.
- Engages with communities: Runs events, education programmes, volunteering opportunities and campaigns that encourage people to connect with and protect nature.
- Influences planning and policy: Works with councils and developers to reduce environmental impact and protect biodiversity in planning decisions.
- Supports nature-based solutions: Promotes approaches such as rewilding and natural flood management to address climate change and biodiversity loss.
Key projects and areas of work
- Wilder Landscape Initiatives: Working with farmers and landowners to create more wildlife-friendly landscapes across the region.
- Education and Nature Discovery Centres: Including the Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre in Oxfordshire, supporting outdoor learning and engagement.
- Species and Habitat Monitoring: Ongoing scientific work to track and protect wildlife, from dormice and otters to rare butterflies, informing long-term conservation strategy.
Across its work, BBOWT continues to combine practical conservation with public engagement, ensuring nature remains a visible, valued and accessible part of life across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
