Past achievements

Our group was formed in 1997 when all the parishes in South Oxfordshire were encouraged to set up local environmental groups to help protect, enhance and raise awareness of the precious habitats around us – this was known as their Local Agenda 21 programme. One outcome of the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 was the Convention on Biological Diversity to “develop national strategic plans or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity”. SODC responded by publishing their Agenda 21 Strategy for 2001-2004 entitled ‘Welcome to the Future’.
We started work with a very detailed Hedge Survey of the whole parish which took about two years to complete – the results were sent off to CPRE who initiated it.
Surveys of the flora in many parts of the area have been done for our own records and for BBOWT (the local Wildlife Trust) – pondlife and butterflies have also been recorded by our members and by interested local individuals.
The ever-popular Cowslip Walk at Chalkhills (formerly Bozedown Vineyard) has been organised in May for some years – a chance for everyone in the village to enjoy the special chalk downland and the wonderful views.
Lots of work parties in the wildlife areas at the Primary School have been organised, especially the creation of the woodland corner and re-lining the pond.
In 2006, the hedge-planting along Muddy Lane was undertaken, planned and led by WoTHabs but with valuable help from volunteers. Trees have been planted in the new children’s playground in Manor Road and at the Maze.
We keep very much in touch with other local groups, particularly Woodcote Conservation Group and attend day events and conferences organised by Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum.
In July 2008, we held a very successful ‘first’ for us – a Wildlife Explorers Event at Chalkhills aimed at primary-age children. We looked in detail at a variety of creepy-crawlies and plants and then after lunch had a most enjoyable walk up to the main County Wildlife Site, overlooking the Thames Valley, seeing a great mixture of butterflies, day-moths and flowers. We have since held similar events in 2009 and 2010 which were again very much enjoyed by all who attended.