Through the new Localism Act, most of which comes into force in April, local groups in neighbourhoods and parishes will be able to create Neighbourhood Plans. These could help residents influence the way in which their green spaces are integrated with local development, and by linking these spaces through hedgerows, streams and groups of trees, create networks of wildlife areas.

It could be an exciting opportunity for everyone interested in wildlife and nature to create their own projects bringing wildflowers, insects and birds closer to where they live.

Using local knowledge and expertise, teams of enthusiastic volunteers can get a lot done, from digging ponds and planting hedgerows to creating species-specific habitats.

It’s surprising how small things like allowing flowers to grow on village greens and parks by reducing the mowing regime, and sowing native wildflower and grass seed in roadside verges can make a big difference for wildlife.

These colourful patches are full of nectar for butterflies, bees and beetles, and they provide foraging havens where small mammals such as field and bank voles thrive.

A good example of how people can make a difference and help their local wildlife is already happening in Wolvercote, where local residents have been quick to realise that they may be able to have an influence in an area where considerable new development is being planned.

This is a neighbourhood rich in valuable wildlife sites, including the internationally important Port Meadow, several nationally important Sites of Special Scientific Interest and numerous Local Wildlife Sites of significance across the county.

The local group has begun the process of applying to the city council for Neighbourhood Forum status, a recognition that will give them the legal power to produce a Neighbourhood Plan. They won’t stop major developments, but they could make sure there are enough new green spaces to link different wildlife habitats.

The Wildlife Trust encourages people to get to know more about nature and their local wildlife. Dozens of local people join in work parties and events at the CS Lewis Nature Reserve, in Headington, and visit the Letcombe Valley community nature reserve at Letcombe Regis. You could join a regular Wildlife Gardening group at Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre at Didcot where there is a pond, woodland and hedgerow, and our resident team on hand with advice.

If you want to know about current wildlife sites, get in touch with Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum, which has information on areas where wildlife habitats could be linked together, and the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre which has data from surveys of the 349 Local Wildlife Sites across Oxfordshire.

Each summer the Oxford Urban Wildlife Group carries out surveys of the city’s green spaces to monitor and record areas of special interest.

Within a few years, butterflies, birds and mammals may be seen on green spaces between nature reserves, towns and villages in a network of wildlife neighbourhoods. If you would like to visit Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust nature reserves, or find out about becoming a member of the Wildlife Trust visit www.bbowt.org.uk or tel 01865 775476.