Directory of Nature Charities in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire has an exceptionally varied natural environment, from the chalk hills and valleys of the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs to the limestone landscapes of the Cotswolds, Thames floodplain meadows, ancient woodlands, wetlands, rivers and farmland. The county’s chalk streams and floodplain habitats are particularly important for wildlife, while its towns and villages contain an increasingly important network of urban green spaces and wildlife corridors.
This directory brings together Oxfordshire-based and Oxfordshire-focused charities, conservation organisations, environmental partnerships, wildlife societies, recording organisations and other key bodies working for nature. It includes organisations involved in habitat and species conservation, river restoration, biological recording, landscape-scale recovery, environmental education and community action, providing a useful starting point for anyone wishing to support conservation, volunteer, record wildlife or learn more about Oxfordshire’s natural environment.
Nature Charities in Oxfordshire
Including registered charities, CICs, coalitions, alliances, and related organisations.
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust is the principal independent nature conservation charity serving Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. It manages a substantial network of nature reserves and works on habitat restoration, species recovery, wildlife recording, education, campaigning and landscape-scale nature recovery.
Wild Oxfordshire is a county-wide conservation charity bringing organisations and communities together to help nature recover. Its work includes community ecology, strategic partnerships, landscape-scale restoration, biodiversity advice and support for delivery of Oxfordshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership brings organisations together to strengthen nature conservation across the county. It provides a strategic forum for biodiversity, nature recovery and natural-capital work and has played a central role in developing Oxfordshire’s current nature-recovery strategy.
Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre is the Local Environmental Records Centre for Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It manages more than five million species records alongside information on wildlife and geological sites, providing essential evidence for conservation, planning, research and nature recovery.
Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment is the county’s independent environmental funder, supporting projects that protect habitats, restore nature and improve access to green spaces. Its grants help community groups, landowners and conservation organisations deliver practical environmental improvements across Oxfordshire.
Earth Trust is an Oxfordshire environmental charity caring for natural green spaces and connecting people with nature. It manages sites including Wittenham Clumps and community reserves, while its work combines conservation, education, research, nature-based solutions and public engagement.
Wychwood Forest Trust is a charity conserving the woodland, wildlife habitats and distinctive landscapes of the former Royal Forest of Wychwood in West Oxfordshire. It combines practical habitat work with environmental education, community involvement and support for local conservation initiatives.
Cotswolds Rivers Trust is a conservation charity restoring rivers and streams flowing from the Cotswolds into the Thames. Its Oxfordshire work includes river restoration, habitat improvement, water-quality projects and collaboration with farmers, landowners and local communities.
River Thame Conservation Trust is a grassroots charity restoring the River Thame, its tributaries and surrounding landscape. Working across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, it focuses on river health, biodiversity, habitat restoration, water quality and community involvement.
Windrush Against Sewage Pollution is an Oxfordshire charity campaigning for healthier rivers and an end to sewage pollution. It combines water-quality monitoring, data analysis, research, public engagement and campaigning to improve the condition of the Windrush and surrounding catchments.
Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire is one of England’s oldest natural-history societies, promoting the study, recording and appreciation of the county’s wildlife and natural environment. It works with local conservation organisations and supports specialist groups, field activities and natural-history recording.
Oxford Ornithological Society is a registered charity devoted to the study and conservation of birds in Oxfordshire. It maintains county bird records, publishes local ornithological information and provides a forum for people interested in observing, recording and understanding the county’s birdlife.
Oxfordshire Mammal Group encourages the study, recording and conservation of mammals in Oxfordshire. Its activities include surveys, training, talks and public outreach, with volunteers contributing to knowledge of local mammal populations and their habitats.
Oxfordshire Bat Group is a local volunteer organisation supporting bat conservation and recording across the county. It contributes bat records to the wider biodiversity network and takes part in surveys, monitoring, public events and conservation activities.
Oxfordshire Badger Group is a local conservation charity working to protect badgers and their habitats. Its activities include sett recording, public awareness, conservation advice and badger vaccination work, with records contributing to the county’s wider biodiversity evidence base.
Oxfordshire Flora Group promotes the study, recording and conservation of the county’s wild plants. Its specialist botanical work includes field activities, surveys and habitat-focused conservation, contributing valuable information to Oxfordshire’s wider natural-history network.
Oxford Urban Wildlife Group promotes awareness, study and conservation of wildlife within Oxford’s built-up areas and surrounding green spaces. It works with local communities and other organisations to encourage appreciation and protection of urban biodiversity. The group also collaborates with the Ashmolean Natural History Society.
Cotswolds National Landscape extends into western Oxfordshire, where its partnership works to protect limestone grasslands, woodlands, rivers and farmland. Its nature-recovery work promotes habitat restoration, ecological connectivity and sustainable land management.
Chilterns National Landscape covers parts of south-eastern Oxfordshire as well as neighbouring counties. Its conservation work includes chalk grassland, woodland, hedgerows, farmland and habitat connectivity, supporting nature recovery across the protected landscape.
North Wessex Downs National Landscape extends into south-west Oxfordshire, protecting chalk downland, valleys, grasslands, woodlands and farmland. Its partnership works on landscape conservation, nature recovery and sustainable land management across the protected area.
Evenlode Catchment Partnership brings organisations and communities together to improve the River Evenlode and its tributaries. Hosted by Wild Oxfordshire, it works on water quality, habitat restoration, flood resilience, biodiversity and community involvement across the catchment.
Windrush Catchment Partnership supports collaborative action to improve the River Windrush and its catchment. Its work brings together conservation bodies, land managers and communities around water quality, habitat restoration, biodiversity and more resilient rivers.