Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)

BBOWT was founded in 1959 by local ecologists who could see the extent of harm being done to the wonderfully rich natural environment of the three counties. For over 50 years we have worked with local people to make Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire richer in wildlife. BBOWT currently has about 54,000 members and more than 1,300 active volunteers. It is thanks to our members and volunteers that we are able to keep going - we do not receive any core governmental funding. Our income comes from a range of sources including grants, legacies, business support and charitable trusts donations, but most important of all are our membership subscriptions: Join us at http://www.bbowt.org.uk/how-you-can-help/join-us We aim to: * Inspire, encourage and support people to take action for wildlife, * Buy, create and manage nature reserves to safeguard species and habitats, * Work with partners to conserve and enhance wildlife in the wider countryside and urban areas. How we achieve these aims: * We look after 80 nature reserves spanning more than 1,700 hectares. Our nature reserves are central to our work to secure a better future for wildlife. * We run wildlife events includes family activities, wildlife walks and illustrated talks. * We campaign for wildlife to save precious habitats and vulnerable species. We lobby decision makers and aim to influence local plans and policies that affect wildlife by working with politicians, planners and members of the public. * We work with other landowners; we encourage farmers, local authorities, private landowners and businesses to manage their land in a wildlife-friendly way. We offer advice and help to people managing local wildlife sites. * We educate children about wildlife; we run environmental education centres catering to thousands of schoolchildren each year. * We train conservationists. * We provide wildlife advice