Newbury Friends of the Earth wins Collective Impact Award for Nature Corridors project

Efforts to protect and enhance wildlife in Newbury have earned a local environmental group a prestigious award.

Newbury Friends of the Earth (NFoE) has received a Collective Impact Award from the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) in recognition of its work on the Newbury Nature Corridors project.

The group works with people and organisations from across the community to support local wildlife.

The award celebrates the group’s success in bringing together people from across the community to support nature. NFoE says its work actively involves local residents, community groups and organisations, encouraging shared action for wildlife.

Newbury Friends of the Earth receiving the Collective Impact Award.

Greenham Scouts building nest boxes in partnership with BBOWT.

Launched last year, the Newbury Nature Corridors project aims to connect two memorial Lockdown Woods planted by NFoE in 2020 and 2021. By linking these areas, the project creates a continuous habitat where wildlife can thrive and move more freely.

The group says the initiative has grown steadily and now includes collaboration with schools, churches, Scout and Beaver groups, individual volunteers, local environmental organisations, and both town and district councils. Together, they are working to improve habitats and raise awareness of the importance of protecting nature.

Newbury Friends of the Earth coordinator Dr Susan Millington said:“It is a great honour to be recognised by such a prestigious nature organisation for the work that we are doing to support wildlife in Newbury.

“It shows we are on the right track!”

Members of Newbury Friends of the Earth celebrating their Collective Impact Award.

Lily O’Neill, events manager at BBOWT, who nominated the group for the award, added:“BBOWT has been working alongside this group through the Community Network project to spotlight their amazing work.

“Watching this group grow and develop has been inspiring, and demonstrates perfectly the aim of BBOWT’s Community Network to empower people to act for nature.

“This group helps us to achieve that by showcasing their work to others, and shows what can be achieved when dedicated local people take action for nature.”