‘A place where my son was welcome (he is an adult with autism and learning difficulties). It’s wonderful to have found somewhere I can share with my son.’
Parent-carer and volunteer
‘I enjoy all aspects of my volunteering at the meadow, from sowing seeds to herding sheep! It is lovely being part of a team making a difference to the environment…people and plants are a great combination!’
Volunteer
‘The human values – including of respect, relationship, valuing difference and human diversity – which underpin the approach to volunteering at Long Mead – allows something quite unusual in quality and depth.’
Volunteer
‘Your project is utterly inspiring, and I know my colleagues went home with spirits lifted.’
Training Course Organiser at Natural England, Floodplain Meadow Assessors Training Day at Long Mead
‘We have been part of the Nature Recovery Network since its inception and have worked closely with Long Mead….. We would not be where we are on the road to increased biodiversity without their help.’
The Peace Oak Association, Eynsham
‘…attending and volunteering at Long Mead has been a tremendously positive experience, informing and enriching my knowledge of practical nature conservation, as well as serving as a conduit to engaging with like-minded individuals and organisations, learning together, and sharing experiences whilst enjoying the natural landscape.’
Oxfordshire Conservation Volunteer (OCV)
‘…network of farmers and volunteers is impressive, and includes highly skilled nature enthusiasts (for example, in invertebrate and plant ID). This makes them a perfect fit for research collaborations and citizen science projects. The network is growing, and systems are in place for long term monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem services. This makes the project very exciting and has the potential for an impact at a local and national level.’
Senior lecturer in Conservation and Biodiversity, Oxford Brookes University
‘I have…found the LMF a very exciting and energetic new force for wildlife conservation in the area. Their use of volunteers has been hugely successful, and an inspiration for other groups.’
Botanist leading botanical workshops and botanical surveying
'Excellent project which engages a vast amount of sectors across the community. Targeted learning and the building of knowledge to be able to replicate actions outside the project.'
Vale of the White Horse Community Action for Climate and Nature Grant - Comment from the Panel
'Author of “Braiding Sweetgrass” R. W. Kimmerer talks about how, in the West, humanity came to be seen as a force that is [...] only capable of destruction. She brings up examples from indigenous culture that prove that humans can live harmony and symbiosis with other species of nature. But I always thought this stewardship role as specific to indigenous people, lost from Western culture. This place proves to me that even in my close proximity, there are initiatives that play a similar symbolic role. It was astonishing.'
MSc student from Oxford University's Environmental Change Institute
Parent-carer and volunteer
‘I enjoy all aspects of my volunteering at the meadow, from sowing seeds to herding sheep! It is lovely being part of a team making a difference to the environment…people and plants are a great combination!’
Volunteer
‘The human values – including of respect, relationship, valuing difference and human diversity – which underpin the approach to volunteering at Long Mead – allows something quite unusual in quality and depth.’
Volunteer
‘Your project is utterly inspiring, and I know my colleagues went home with spirits lifted.’
Training Course Organiser at Natural England, Floodplain Meadow Assessors Training Day at Long Mead
‘We have been part of the Nature Recovery Network since its inception and have worked closely with Long Mead….. We would not be where we are on the road to increased biodiversity without their help.’
The Peace Oak Association, Eynsham
‘…attending and volunteering at Long Mead has been a tremendously positive experience, informing and enriching my knowledge of practical nature conservation, as well as serving as a conduit to engaging with like-minded individuals and organisations, learning together, and sharing experiences whilst enjoying the natural landscape.’
Oxfordshire Conservation Volunteer (OCV)
‘…network of farmers and volunteers is impressive, and includes highly skilled nature enthusiasts (for example, in invertebrate and plant ID). This makes them a perfect fit for research collaborations and citizen science projects. The network is growing, and systems are in place for long term monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem services. This makes the project very exciting and has the potential for an impact at a local and national level.’
Senior lecturer in Conservation and Biodiversity, Oxford Brookes University
‘I have…found the LMF a very exciting and energetic new force for wildlife conservation in the area. Their use of volunteers has been hugely successful, and an inspiration for other groups.’
Botanist leading botanical workshops and botanical surveying
'Excellent project which engages a vast amount of sectors across the community. Targeted learning and the building of knowledge to be able to replicate actions outside the project.'
Vale of the White Horse Community Action for Climate and Nature Grant - Comment from the Panel
'Author of “Braiding Sweetgrass” R. W. Kimmerer talks about how, in the West, humanity came to be seen as a force that is [...] only capable of destruction. She brings up examples from indigenous culture that prove that humans can live harmony and symbiosis with other species of nature. But I always thought this stewardship role as specific to indigenous people, lost from Western culture. This place proves to me that even in my close proximity, there are initiatives that play a similar symbolic role. It was astonishing.'
MSc student from Oxford University's Environmental Change Institute