Conservation at Little Wittenham
Conservation at Little Wittenham Nature Reserve
Little Wittenham Nature Reserve conserves a variety of habitats where many wildlife species thrive, including some rare amphibians, insects and plants.
The Creation of Little Wittenham Nature Reserve
Little Wittenham Nature Reserve was established in 1982 by the Northmoor Trust. The aim was to maintain and protect a variety of decreasing habitats including mixed woodland, chalk grassland and wetland, including riverbanks and ponds.
The Trust has a responsibility to:
- manage the land in a way that helps wildlife, particularly in the face of environmental change.
- provide enjoyment of nature for future human generations.
Nature Reserve Visitors and Open Days
The Nature Reserve receives 150,000 visits a year. Recreational access is managed to protect habitats with scarce and sensitive species, such as the great crested newt.
Open Days and Guided Walks are held throughout the year to introduce the public to the biodiversity of the Reserve.
The more we know about the environment, the more we can do to protect it and prevent further species loss.
Great Crested Newts
Of particular interest are globally rare species such as the Great Crested Newt. The Reserve's woodland has one of the largest and best researched populations in Britain. Up to 3000 newts have bred in the woodland ponds each year. This is the main reason why the Reserve is listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Steve Gregory, Northmoor Trust's Field Ecologist, who monitors the great crested newt population on the Little Wittenham Nature Reserve.
