Huge Project to Create New Wildlife Habitat in Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire
04/04/2008 14:25:14Huge Project to Create New Wildlife Habitat in Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire
Unique partnership will shape landscape conservation
A groundbreaking partnership that covers an area of 73km2 which includes the river catchment for the whole of the River Ray, as well as BBOWT and RSPB reserves that fall into the area. The project help shape the future of wildlife and landscape conservation has being launched by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and the RSPB.
The ‘Ray Valley Restoration Project’ will create new wetland wildlife habitats, improve river water quality and increase community involvement in conservation across the River Ray landscape.
A groundbreaking partnership that covers an area of 73km2 which includes the river catchment for the whole of the River Ray, as well as BBOWT and RSPB reserves that fall into the area. The project help shape the future of wildlife and landscape conservation has being launched by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and the RSPB.
The ‘Ray Valley Restoration Project’ will create new wetland wildlife habitats, improve river water quality and increase community involvement in conservation across the River Ray landscape.
Wide Range of Wildlife to Benefit
Water voles, otters, dragonflies, butterflies, wetland plants and wading birds, such as lapwings, snipe and curlews, are just some of the wildlife that will benefit.
This ambitious long-term project links together for the first time BBOWT’s and the RSPB’s nature reserves with the wider farming community across an entire river catchment.
This landscape project includes BBOWT’s Asham Meads and Upper Ray Meadows nature reserves, and the RSPB’s Otmoor nature reserve.
Water voles, otters, dragonflies, butterflies, wetland plants and wading birds, such as lapwings, snipe and curlews, are just some of the wildlife that will benefit.
This ambitious long-term project links together for the first time BBOWT’s and the RSPB’s nature reserves with the wider farming community across an entire river catchment.
This landscape project includes BBOWT’s Asham Meads and Upper Ray Meadows nature reserves, and the RSPB’s Otmoor nature reserve.
Wetlands Issues
- Between 1982 and 2002, birds in England’s and Wales’ floodplain wet grassland have declined by: curlews down 40%, redshanks down 21%, lapwings down 40% and snipe down 61%
- 500 rivers, lakes and wetlands in England are at risk of damage from excessive water withdrawals;
- Around 50% of public water has to be treated due to agricultural pollution costing £200 million every year;
- Waste water from 1.3 million properties goes directly to rivers rather than the sewage system;
- 85% of lowland rivers have already been damaged by dredging and canalisation
Improving Farmland
Farmers and landowners outside these reserves will be offered specialist wildlife, water and grant advice and support to improve wildlife on their land and increase the area of land being conserved in the project area.
Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire
The work of BBOWT and the RSPB around the River Ray and Upper Thames Tributaries is already being recognised nationally for spearheading wetland wildlife conservation. The Ray Valley project area stretches from Marsh Gibbon in Buckinghamshire, south to Otmoor in Oxfordshire, with the River Ray being the link across the landscape.
Farmers and landowners outside these reserves will be offered specialist wildlife, water and grant advice and support to improve wildlife on their land and increase the area of land being conserved in the project area.
Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire
The work of BBOWT and the RSPB around the River Ray and Upper Thames Tributaries is already being recognised nationally for spearheading wetland wildlife conservation. The Ray Valley project area stretches from Marsh Gibbon in Buckinghamshire, south to Otmoor in Oxfordshire, with the River Ray being the link across the landscape.
