Save An Owl For £1
THE BIG IDEA

‘SAVE AN OWL FOR £1’ is a totally unique initiative by the WORLD OWL TRUST aimed at restoring Britain’s once glorious countryside.

Our aim is to encourage local communities of caring people to work together to restore lost habitats and provide safe nesting sites for owls in their own locality.

‘SAVE AN OWL FOR £1’ is not just about restoring rural countryside. While urban green spaces are often regarded as poor sites for nature conservation, many such areas in our towns and cities are not only very attractive, but can also be important havens for wildlife. Unfortunately, due to financial and manpower constraints, all too many are currently poorly managed and under-valued by Councils and local communities, not because they don’t care about them, but because they are unaware of the wealth of wildlife which call them home. The WORLD OWL TRUST is convinced that there is huge scope to improve such areas, not only for wildlife, but for local residents too.

‘SAVE AN OWL FOR £1’ aims to involve local communities in helping to improve – and enjoy – their own green spaces, not only to enhance the wildlife value of the sites, but to re-connect people of all ages with the natural world. This is particularly important for our children who are losing touch with living nature in the face of an increasingly electronic world. It is our hope that by improving such areas for wildlife by concentrating on owls, local residents will begin to take pride in their own green spaces, and by becoming personally involved, improve their own quality of life immeasurably. Conservation work is also a marvellously social activity where many a new friendship is forged.

We also believe that in the process of carrying out such work co-operatively with local communities, we are providing an invaluable educational resource for local schools, colleges and organizations. Guided walks, interpretation and training days will therefore play a big part in this initiative.

Our first objective is always to survey each site in order to determine which species the sites already support – and this is where local people can play a vital role. Once the surveys are completed, a Site Dossier will be compiled and an Action Plan will come into play in order to enhance the areas for both wildlife and people.

We are convinced that by involving local people we can help to alleviate the typical problems of fly tipping, burning and vandalism which so often blight such areas. Indeed, our research has demonstrated that local communities are often desperate to see their green spaces transformed into areas they can truly enjoy and take pride in. To this end we will encourage public access whenever this is feasible.

WORLD OWL TRUST
The Owl Centre
Muncaster Castle
Ravenglass
Cumbria. CA18 1RQ
United Kingdom

Telephone: (+44) (0)1229 717393
FAX: (+44) (0)1229 717107
E-mail: here

World Owl Trust Registered Charity Number: 1107529 Limited Company Number: 5296745

The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and legacies.