Wild Kidlington is one of several ‘Wilding’ projects originally funded across Cherwell, with Wild Banbury and Wild Bicester as close neighbours. Here at Wild Oxfordshire, we have been involved in Kidlington's nature recovery efforts since 2022, and continue to connect its residents to the town's green spaces and local species populations.
Wild Kidlington, led by Wild Oxfordshire, works with the local community to enable residents to improve spaces for wildlife whilst highlighting to local people the impact that nature-based interventions can have on their lives and wellbeing. We want to empower local communities to improve space for wildlife and help people connect with wildlife on a hyper local scale which in turn will have a positive impact on the lives of the individuals and the community.
1. Enhancing the nature themed groups and activities that are already going on in Kidlington
2. Improving green spaces for wildlife in the village
3. Connect local residents to nature to benefit wellbeing and to increase understanding of local wildlife
This project is a collaboration, funded over time by Cherwell District Council and Kidlington Town Council. Our Wild Kidlington’s Project Officer, Rhiannon Young is working closely with the Town Council, Kidlington Eco Group (KEG), St Mary’s Fields, Cherwell Collective, Cherwell Swifts and other local groups to ensure the project’s delivery and success.
We are currently being funded by Cherwell District Council to run a series of engagement sessions across the town, from bat walks to wildlife wanders to library sessions aimed at families. We’re aiming to educate and inspire people to take action in their own gardens and green spaces. We are also still inputting into Kidlington Eco Group meetings, to help the group take wider action across the town.
See what we’re running on our Eventbrite page, and look out for updates on our social media pages!
We worked primarily with Kidlington Parish Council to increase biodiversity on the town's green spaces, bringing residents on board to help enhance previously low value habitats. Some of the sites we worked on include;
Lyne Road Green:
St Mary’s Fields Nature Reserve:
Park Hill Copse & Home Close Coronation Garden:
We have also advised on a number of smaller sites in residential areas, and a community growing space in the south of Kidlington
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We have connected with a wide range of wonderful groups and people throughout the project, which have all come together to celebrate the nature that lives in an around Kidlington. We faciltiated the Kidlington Environment Group, scaling the group's events and building confidence in biodiversity delivery.
Just some of the outreach work we've done includes;
We are very fortunate to have a thriving swift population in Kidlington! Swifts are sadly an endangered species. We have partnered up with Cherwell Swift Project to make sure the project can benefit these incredible, but sadly endangered, birds. Find out more about swifts on the Cherwell swift project website.
On last year's swift walks, we were privileged to see swifts, flying and using your swift boxes and also learned lots about them from our local experts. One of our experts is Tegan Boswell (aged 7). Her family have a swift box above their garage which is used every year. She has illustrated a swift for the project and given us some top facts:
"Hi I am Tegan Boswell, here are my facts about swifts:
I watched my Dad put up our swift box - it looked quite hard. He even let me climb a little bit up the ladder"
Our swifts migrate approximately 14,000 miles to return to our swift boxes in Kidlington! What a journey - really makes us think of 'Home sweet home'.
They do everything on the wing - drinking, eating and even mating! True acrobatic flyers.
If you are local to Kidlington, head over to the Kidlington Eco Group’s website to view the project’s upcoming events and volunteering opportunities.
Alternatively, if you or your group have an idea for the project, or want to get to involved, please feel free to contact Rhiannon by emailing: rhiannon@wildoxfordshire.org.uk
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