The current Nature and Conservation Group was formed in October 2024 by U3A members interested in the study and recording of all aspects of the local biodiversity and natural environment.  Our aim is to provide opportunities to practice and improve identification skills largely through self- led learning  and to apply these skills in a practical way to document the biodiversity of local sites. 

We are lucky to be able to use Witney Country Park as our classroom and have the support of Witney Town Council open spaces team.  Some members support local biodiversity enhancement projects with Witney Town Council and as part of the network of local organisations, taking advantage of low-cost training courses where offered.

Some of us of started off with little or no knowledge of botany, birds or butterflies and their habitats.  Others members have joined with previous experience in monitoring and recording and we are lucky to have some experts among us. 

New members are always welcome, the only requirement is a curiosity and enthusiasm for the natural world.  We also welcome any offers of expert guidance.  Links to more details of some of group activities can be found lower on this page. Please get in touch with the Group leader if you would like more information.

Meetings

Meetings are largely held out of doors (including through the Winter) at Witney Country Park (WCP). The group has linked up with Witney Town Council (WTC), who manage WCP, and will be supporting the development of the wildflower meadow and diverse habitats through recording and reporting biodiversity in all its forms. 

Normal meeting times are on the 1^st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 10.30am to 12.30pm but as some activities are dependent on warm weather, for example butterfly surveys, the day and/or time may be subject to change. Some members meet for additional botany practice outside meeting times.

Occasional meetings are held at sites outside Witney to observe areas of particularly rich biodiversity or specific interest.

Past visits

• Butterfly walk at Wigwell Nature Reserve, Charlbury
• Visit to Gibbets Hill Nature Reserve with the Wychwood Forest Trust
• Visit to Hailey Community Woodland

The group regularly organises a  Nature Table at the U3A Speakers meetings (1^st and 3^rd Thursday) at which any member can bring samples for identification or discussion with local Naturalist and U3A member Martin Catt and other group members. 

Monitoring Activities

Monitoring activities planned for 2026 include baseline botanical monitoring of the wildflower meadow,  acoustic monitoring (Merlin and BirdNET) and recording birds, surveys of moths, butterfly and reptiles all at Witney Country Park.

Other related activities

Members have attended workshops and talks arranged by local organisations - recent examples have included wildflower identification, grass identification and reptile surveys.

Group members are encouraged to sign up as volunteers with WTC for other activities and maintenance jobs as and when they are needed such as removal of Himalayan Balsaam and assisting with other surveys (eg reptile survey) from time to time.