How to Turn Your Neighbourhood Wild

Living Magazines Neighbourhood wild

The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is inviting wildlife enthusiasts, gardeners and community groups to join a series of online events – for top advice from the experts on how to help wildlife on your patch.

The Trust is running the Zoom sessions from next month, with subjects including Wilding Yourself and Your Neighbourhood, Nature and Wellbeing, and Wildlife Activities on Your Doorstep – and people can pay whatever they like to take part.

The webinars are part of the Trust’s new Team Wilder, which is aiming to bring nature back and create a wilder future for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire – for nature, climate and people.

Ed Turpin, Community Wildlife Officer for BBOWT, said: ‘These webinars are for absolutely anyone in our three counties who loves nature, who loves wildlife, and wants to do their bit to help restore nature in our area. They’re aimed at complete beginners, so you don’t need any expertise, and we’ll be sharing really simple, easy ways that you can learn more about wildlife, engage with nature to help yourself, and help nature in return. We’ll be talking about things as simple as planting flowers for pollinators, good places to go for a wild walk and interesting insects that you can look out for on your travels.’

Launched by BBOWT at the end of last year, Team Wilder aims to bring together all the great work happening in our three counties for nature and climate under one umbrella for the first time.

The philosophy at the heart of Team Wilder  is that by taking just one action for nature, no matter how small, everyone can make a real, meaningful impact, and invite more wildlife back into our lives.

Research shows that if just one in four people demonstrates a given behaviour, it can influence the behaviour of an entire group – like a whole society.

To find out more about Team Wilder and how to get yourself and your community involved, go to bbowt.org.uk/team-wilder

Team Wilder Webinars

All the Team Wilder webinars will be held on Zoom, and they will feature illustrated talks and question-and-answer sessions. Attendees can pay whatever they like to join each event, but the Trust has suggested a donation of £5.

  • Thursday, 17 February – Wilding Yourself and Your Neighbourhood (7.30-8.30pm)

What is wilding? Join us as we look at what wilding is, why it’s important and how you can re-wild yourself! We all need more nature everywhere. This event will look at how wildling can be part of the solution, and will include an opportunity to ask your questions to our panel.

Book here: www.bbowt.org.uk/events/2022-02-17-wilding-yourself-and-your-neighbourhood

  • Thursday, 24 February – Nature and Wellbeing (7.30-8.30pm)

Join our wellbeing expert as we look at the benefits of nature for our wellbeing, and how you can make the most of spending time outside. No matter how long you’ve got – 5 minutes, an hour or a day, there are lots of ways to make the most of it and get your vitamin N(ature)! This event will include an opportunity to ask your questions to our panel.

Book here: www.bbowt.org.uk/events/2022-02-24-nature-and-wellbeing

  • Thursday, 3 March – Wildlife Activities on Your Doorstep (7.30-8.30pm)

Looking for something to do outside? Join us as we pick the brains of our panel and look at a range of great activities you can try when you are out and about! We’ll have ideas for everyone, whatever your age! This event will include an opportunity to ask your questions to our panel.

Book here: www.bbowt.org.uk/events/2022-03-03-wildlife-activities-your-doorstep

  • Thursday, 10 March – Love Your Local Wildlife (7.30-8.30pm)

Join us for a look at the wildlife that is around us on a daily basis. We’ll take a look at some of fascinating creatures that you might encounter when out and about and answer any of your questions about how you can help local wildlife. This event will include an opportunity to ask your questions to our panel.

Book here: www.bbowt.org.uk/events/2022-03-10-love-your-local-wildlife

For more information about all of BBOWT’s upcoming events visit bbowt.org.uk/events