Who we are and what we do
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Who we are
Our beginnings
Oxford Urban Wildlife Group was started over 18 years ago and has played a
significant role in attracting and conserving wildlife in Oxford. Some of the
achievements include converting disused allotments in East Oxford into a Nature
Park. This was launched in 1990 and in
1991 won a coveted OSCA award. Other
awards followed and the park is now
open to school groups, leisure groups
and many local people who drop in on
open days.
From the beginning we held walks and
talks on a wide variety of topics and
later produced a booklet: 'Discovering Oxford's Green Places'.
Surveys
Each summer we survey Oxford's green areas with a view to monitoring change and
recording areas of special interest to ensure that future development would not
be detrimental to wildlife. We have been able to put the information to good
use, for example in supporting the case for not developing the Trap Grounds, or
building a golf course at Horspath and we also intervened to stop the felling of
trees along the A40.
Environmental activities
Over the years we have taken part in many environmental activities in Oxford
including ragwort pulling in Port Meadow, Operation Sparrowhawk (an
environmental play-scheme for children) and litter blitzes in the Lye Valley and
Trap Grounds.
Individual members have had a significant impact on Oxford wildlife by becoming
involved with the Forest of Oxford, Rivermead Nature Park, plans for a City
Farm, creation and maintenance of Pat Hartridge's Churchill Hospital Wildlife
Gardens, management of Holywell Cemetery.
Garden Pond Survey
In 1995, our Garden Pond Survey publicised the importance of garden ponds in
providing habitats for amphibians. Our advice line for frogs and toads resulted
in an 'official' toad crossing in South Oxford and persuaded Oxford City Council
to be the first local council to lower kerbstones to allow easier passage for
migrating toads in North Oxford.
Spreading the Word!
At events, we give advice on conservation and wildlife gardening in Oxford and
have broadcast on local radio and television and had pieces in the local press
about wildlife matters. We sell suitable plants which must now grace many Oxford
gardens.
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What we do
Walks and Talks
We hold a variety of outdoor and indoor events throughout the year, from
Wildflower Walks to Wildlife Talks, from Botanical Surveys of Green Sites to
Picnics in Wild Places.
Practical Advice and Projects
 We
are creating a wildlife park with a rich variety of habitats including woodland,
pond and meadows. This exciting, award-winning project provides opportunities
for practical conservation work. We give advice on wildlife queries and can
provide details of many useful books.
Wildlife Gardening
We promote wildlife gardening by selling wildflower plants and seeds. We give
advice and demonstrations of wildlife and organic gardening at Boundary Brook
Nature Park. We offer practical information in our newsletter and publicise our
work in the local press and radio.
Surveys
In order to know where and how valuable the wildlife in Oxford is, we are
carrying out systematic surveys of the City's green sites. To take part,
previous experience is not essential.
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