BBOWT News
Browse news and stories about Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) – one of 46 Wildlife Trusts across the UK working to achieve the shared aim of securing a better future for wildlife.
-
BBOWT invites people across Oxfordshire to reconnect with nature during 30 Days Wild challenge
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust is inviting people across Oxfordshire to take part in 30 Days Wild, a month-long challenge celebrating nature and wildlife throughout June.
-
BBOWT launches 12 Days Wild Winter Challenge to reconnect people with nature
BBOWT’s 12 Days Wild challenge returns this Christmas, inviting people of all ages to enjoy one nature-inspired activity each day from 25 December to 05 January and reconnect with wildlife during the winter season.
-
BBOWT honours lifetime of service from wildlife volunteers
BBOWT has recognised Tony Chandler and Rodney Sims for six decades of volunteer service at its 2025 Awards, alongside young and community groups contributing to wildlife conservation across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
-
Frog photo leaps to victory in BBOWT 2025 wildlife photography competition
Peter Smith’s golden reflection of a common frog has been crowned overall winner of the BBOWT 2025 Photography Competition, which showcased stunning wildlife moments from across the region, including Thomas Roberts’ People’s Choice-winning photo of a great crested grebe family.
-
BBOWT launches £300,000 appeal to protect ancient woodland in Buckinghamshire
BBOWT has launched a £300k appeal to protect Hamgreen Wood, a rare ancient woodland between Bicester and Aylesbury. The site provides vital habitat for Bechstein’s bats and the black hairstreak butterfly, making it one of the region’s most valuable reserves.
-
BBOWT launches public vote for people’s choice wildlife photo award
BBOWT has opened voting for its People’s Choice Award in the annual photo contest, with eight wildlife shots competing for a spot on the 2026 calendar. The winner will be announced at the Trust’s 2025 Celebration on 25 October.
-
Nearly 40 Oxfordshire flood reduction schemes receive grants
Oxfordshire County Council is awarding over £500k in grants to fund 39 schemes aimed at reducing flooding across the county. Chosen from more than 80 applications, the projects include drainage improvements, natural flood management, ditch works, flood sensors, and public awareness measures.
-
Estelle Bailey of BBOWT awarded MBE for services to nature recovery
Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for her services to nature recovery. With a 25-year career in The Wildlife Trusts and 11 years at BBOWT’s helm, she has led transformative projects, expanded nature reserves, and championed community-focused conservation.
-
Wildlife protections barely affect UK planning decisions according to The Wildlife Trusts
The Wildlife Trusts has published new research claiming that protected species are a factor in just 3% of planning appeal decisions, contradicting the UK Government’s claims that environmental regulations obstruct development.
-
BBOWT launches 2025 Nature Photography Competition across three counties
The BBOWT has launched its 2025 Nature Photography Competition, inviting photographers of all ages to capture local wildlife. Entries are open until 31 August across various categories, including birds, insects, flowers, and mobile photography.
-
BBOWT urges public to reconnect with nature in ’30 Days Wild’ challenge
The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is inviting people of all ages to join 30 Days Wild, a nationwide challenge encouraging daily nature-based activities throughout June. From listening to birdsong to planting wildflowers, the campaign promotes wellbeing and environmental connection through simple, everyday acts.
-
Iffley Meadows sees fivefold increase in Snake’s-Head fritillary count
An annual count at Iffley Meadows in Oxfordshire recorded nearly 30,000 snake’s-head fritillaries, a dramatic recovery from a 30-year low of just over 6,000 in 2024. The rare wildflower, Oxfordshire’s county flower, blooms in one of the UK’s few remaining floodplain meadows.
-
BBOWT and RHS launch campaign to protect hoverflies across the UK
The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society are urging gardeners to help save hoverflies as these vital, yet overlooked, pollinators face steep population declines.
-
Wildlife Trust urges public action against Planning and Infrastructure Bill
The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) warns that the Government’s proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill poses a major threat to UK nature. The bill allows developers to bypass essential environmental protections by paying into a centralized Nature Restoration Fund.
-
Join BBOWT’s Hedgehog Walk with Timmy and Apricot from Timmy Time
BBOWT’s Hedgehog Walk, in partnership with Timmy Time, invites families, schools, and clubs to take on a 3km challenge to support wildlife. Running from 31 March to 13 April, the event mimics a hedgehog’s nightly wander. Participants receive fun resources and top fundraisers earn prizes.
-
Stable brown hairstreak butterfly populations defy climate and habitat threats
A recent egg count by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) found stable numbers of brown hairstreak butterfly eggs at its Oxfordshire site, despite threats from climate change and habitat loss.