Keep Nethercote Rural is a small community group, operating in the small hamlet of Nethercote, on the edge of Banbury, Oxfordshire. 

The primary aims of the group are to record, protect and enhance the biodiversity of the area. Being part of a community group focused on biodiversity conservation is hugely rewarding, provides learning of individual species and habitat, social interaction strengthening the community as well as physical exercise. 

The results of such efforts are further reaching in the community by improving quality and access to valuable green space and nature in a time when such is being eroded around us.

None of the activities, or projects happen on their own though, a whole host of things are needed to make things happen and for projects to be successful, from knowledge of processes and accessing learning of species and habitat issues, to organising funding, sourcing equipment and basic administration such as the running of the community group and fulfilling obligations such as health and safety – there are so many areas to consider and this can fall on a few people in a small community group, this alone can make small groups unviable.

For volunteers with no expertise in biodiversity conservation, the scope can be vast so that despite plenty of enthusiasm in a community, things just aren’t able to be put in place to facilitate such activities. 

Biodiversity conservation is not an exact science; it is a complex field that is impacted by many factors which can further add confusion when different methods or ideas conflict or receive opposition when they may seem counter productive in the short term.  This can completely overwhelm those trying to take positive action in their areas, to the point that nothing happens.

BBOWT’s Community Network is an invaluable and comprehensive source of information, support and knowledge when running a small community group and has significantly and positively impacted the activities and success of projects and activities that Keep Nethercote Rural have undertaken. 

Regular Zoom meetings allow networking, learning about other group’s activities, sharing and generating ideas and confidence as well as increasing knowledge on specific issues in an informal way.  The recording of talks means that the topics can be revisited or referred to in the future.

Networking, both through the Zoom meetings and other platforms, such as Facebook groups are vital. Engaging with other groups is crucial for small groups, to share ideas, motivation and sharing resources such as equipment and volunteers. Linking up with larger groups such as Wild Banbury also allows access to larger platforms and opportunities that would be inaccessible to a small group in isolation.

Being part of BBOWT’s Community Network has enabled us to feel part of a larger community, learn about biodiversity conservation issues that impact our area and helped us carry out activities and undertake projects that support our groups aims as well as learning more administrative aspects of the group running. 

Lisa Phipps, Keep Nethercote Rural