Team Wilder: Developing a community networking hub
Lily O’Neill outlines an exciting new Team Wilder project to bring community groups together, helping to create more nature everywhere.
As part of the Team Wilder launch last autumn, we asked how BBOWT can best help communities take action for nature. A key theme suggested was the development of a community networking hub, and this forms the basis of my role as Volunteering Network Officer.
Our goal is to build an online platform and network that can facilitate greater connections between groups across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, inspire individuals to engage with nature, and help create a wilder world on our doorstep.
I explain more about how this could work in the short video below.
Shape community group network (https://youtu.be/B5THckyvtkw)
How can the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust help community groups network and share ideas and tips better so you can create more nature everywhere?
We'd love to know what you'd like from our community group network.
We hope the new platform will serve many functions, such as:
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Allowing individuals interested in joining a community group to see which groups are already running in their area.
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Providing helpful resources and information packs – from wildlife gardening tips to advice about fundraising, and much more!
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Facilitating peer-to-peer conversations and community group collaborations.
In sharing knowledge and experiences, we can maximise the effect of our local actions and create a network of wilder spaces, tipping the scale back in nature’s favour, and fostering a community-minded approach to the climate crisis.
Volunteers for BBOWT's Hedgerow Havens project planting a species-rich hedgerow and create a wildflower meadow at Rectory Farm near Weedon. Picture: Marcus Militello
We know that there are already many community groups doing amazing work in our area, and we want to do all we can to support and encourage this work for wildlife. The network aims to enable groups to share stories and experiences too – to inspire other like-minded groups across our three counties as we all work towards more nature everywhere.
We’re now working on a plan to get community groups together to start sharing experiences and learning from others on a more regular basis.
Help shape our community network
In the meantime, why not for take action for nature today – have a look at ways you can help wildlife on our resources page.
Already doing something for wildlife?
Become a part of Team Wilder and share what you're doing for wildlife on our interactive map.
Volunteers by Jess Gallagher
Get involved
Team Wilder is a growing community of people from across our three counties and beyond, who are taking direct action for nature.