Northmoor Trust
Land, people, ecology
About Us
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The Northmoor Trust is based in South Oxfordshire and manages an estate of 300 hectares, including Little Wittenham Nature Reserve, a conservation farm and a new woodland dedicated to forestry research.
The Trust promotes conservation through exemplary land management, education and land science. It has a Board of seven Trustees with 33 staff working in ecology, estate management, education and forest research.
Northmoor Trust aims:
- managing the Northmoor Trust Estate land in an exemplary fashion for wildlife and countryside conservation.
- interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds to widen their interest, understanding and involvement in wildlife and countryside conservation.
- promoting research and pursue new ideas to widen knowledge and improve effectiveness of wildlife and countryside conservation.
- working with people in other organisations and professions in furtherance of our aims.
The Trust is probably best known for managing the 100 hectare Little Wittenham Nature Reserve which it established in 1982. Half the reserve is woodland and a patchwork of old and new broadleaf coppice, mixed woodland and recent conifer plantations which are particularly important for wetland species such as dragonflies, amphibians and the rare Loddon lily. About 3,000 great crested newts live in the woodland. This huge population is of national importance and a major factor in the Reserve being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in August 2000. It is currently also a candidate for EU designation as a Special Area for Conservation.
Little Wittenham Nature Reserve attracts about 100,000 visitors every year. An open access agreement between the Trust and Oxfordshire County Council allows the public to use the grassland for recreation and to enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The Trust actively encourages visitors to the Reserve, and runs a varied programme of events to inform visitors about the countryside and the work of the Trust.
The Trust's estate contains important Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman archaeological sites, with a magnificent Iron Age Hill Fort, Castle Hill, within the Nature Reserve. There are also traces of eighteenth century landscaping, including the two historic hilltop beech plantings on Castle Hill and Round Hill that give the Wittenham Clumps their name.
Sustainable Farming Initiative
The Northmoor Trust believes that improving the future for wildlife in lowland Britain requires conservationists to work in partnership with land owners to restore and recreate wildlife habitats on farms and other economically managed areas. The Trust's farmland is centred on Hill Farm, Little Wittenham and here the farming objective is to research and demonstrate ways of making economic agriculture more friendly to wildlife. The work of the farm is guided by a Conservation Plan which includes the planting of hedges, introducing flower-rich field margins and unsprayed headlands as well as creating ponds, resulting in a variety of habitats for both plants and animals. Several key wildlife species are now increasing in number and changes are being monitored so that the wildlife gains and economic performance of the farm can be analysed.
England has less woodland than almost any other country in Europe. On farmland between the villages of Long and Little Wittenham a new woodland is being created as a centre for forestry research. By conducting research to improve the timber qualities of native species it is hoped that landowners can be encouraged to plant more trees and increase woodland habitat. This is a long-term project, but although planting began only 10 years ago, a new broadleaved forest is already emerging in the landscape and is rich with wildlife.
Scientific research and innovation can make important contributions to solving conservation problems. The Northmoor Trust runs numerous research programmes including collaborative studies and is co-operating with several universities and institutions on ecological farming and forestry work. The Trust's staff have also helped a number of local societies and parish groups to start conservation projects in their own communities and its ecologists and land managers are available to give advice and assist with site surveys and the drafting of management plans.
The Northmoor Trust for Countryside Conservation is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered in England & Wales. Company Registration number 4381522. Charity registration number 1095057.
