The aim of the REBORN group is to secure the strategic protection and support needed to deliver the Bernwood-Otmoor-Ray area’s regionally important potential for nature and access to nature, through the recognition of the area as a Regional Nature Park.
WHO ARE WE?
We are REBORN – Returning Bernwood Otmoor Ray to Nature. We are a campaigning group set up to push for the introduction of a Regional Nature Park in this important landscape area.
We are supported by
BBOWT
Freshwater Habitats Trust
Bioabundance
Printing services by – Media Ace, Thame
DOWNLOAD OUR PROPOSAL
We have written a detailed proposal that can be downloaded from the link below
WHERE IS IT?
The 300km2 Bernwood Otmoor Ray (BOR) landscape lies between the large urban centres of Oxford, Bicester and Aylesbury.
It contains nationally important but increasingly fragmented habitats such as ancient woodland, species-rich grassland and floodplain meadows.
Rare species supported by these habitats include black and brown hairstreak butterflies, curlew, Bechstein’s bats and great crested newts.
“a place where we enable nature to thrive, enhancing people’s wellbeing, where a flourishing natural environment permeates the whole area”
“..In spite of .. valuable efforts with impressive results on individual sites, many important habitats, including species-rich grasslands, lack adequate protection and the BOR landscape as a whole is not recognised or designated in the planning system.
Furthermore, there has been a progressive erosion of habitats to successive developments over the past 50 years, which are continuing to accelerate due to Government development and investment plans across the Oxfordshire to Cambridgeshire region.
Nature cannot thrive in small and isolated areas if the wider landscape is not managed sympathetically to provide food, breeding grounds and other resources.”
Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Why we need to ACT NOW
Both the Biodiversity Crisis and the Climate Crisis we are facing mean we have to secure as a priority the best opportunities to reverse the catastrophic decline in nature.
We need to act now because national, regional and local strategic policy and plans are being developed.
There is a high likelihood of national government pushing for high growth in the Region. We will be pursuing strategic action to:
- Campaign for the creation of a Regional Nature Park
- Ensure funding is available to protect the area’s regional significance
- Protect potential for future and existing projects from damaging development
- Protect sensitive habitats while providing access for all
- Deliver sustainable transport which can only be achieved at a strategic level.
