A biodiversity boost for Island Pond Wood

Two grants totalling £18,390 awarded in 2022 and 2023

A grant from TOE is helping the Friends of Island Pond Wood to enhance the biodiversity of Island Pond Wood, a community woodland site in Launton, near Bicester.

The grant has funded capital works including pond creation, woodland thinning and grassland enhancement to provide opportunities for not only wildlife, but community engagement and education.

The grant holder told us “The funding that TOE provided has been fundamental in achieving our habitat management plans for the Island Pond Wood. The process has been well signposted, with great support throughout from Rachel and the team. We are already seeing the positive outcomes of the project – an established wildlife pond, thinned woodland with a newly developing understory and regenerated hedgerows bustling with life.”

The Friends are looking ahead to the next 20 years of management to secure a place of solace and nature-based wellbeing for present and future residents. With development on the increase locally, the value of green spaces like Island Pond Wood is more important than ever.