Oxford Conservation Volunteers (OCV) is recruiting new members to join the organisation which has been preserving the wildlife and traditional landscape of the Oxfordshire area for almost 40 years.

OCV membership has grown and widened since its establishment by a small group of students in 1977, during which time public concern about the environment, local and global, has increased.

The current volunteer base includes people from a wide variety of backgrounds and age groups, working on projects ranging from the traditional craft of hedge laying to modern fence building.

OCV task leader Tim Bletsoe said: “What makes OCV stand out is how the group doesn’t focus on a single nature reserve, instead visiting a wide variety of sites around the Oxford area. We work for a number of clients such as the Oxford Preservation Trust, Natural England, the Wildlife Trusts, the Woodland Trust, Oxford City Council and other organisations concerned with preserving the environment. The chances are that if you have been to a nature reserve in Oxford, OCV will have done some work there.

“OCV activities are just as varied the places it visits. The type of work undertaken includes hedge laying, fence building, scrub clearance, tree planting, dry stone walling, boardwalk construction and coppicing.”

Regular work parties take place every Sunday and some Saturdays and in addition to regular weekly tasks, OCV makes residential trips a few times a year to places further afield such as the Brecon Beacons and the Peak District.

Anyone is welcome to come along to OCV tasks and no experience is needed, as projects are led by an experienced volunteer who demonstrates the safe use of any tools involved and explains the significance of the work being carried out.

Mr Bletsoe said: “People volunteer with us for many reasons including developing skills, team work, keeping fit and making new friends. We hold regular social events. Seeing the environmental and ecological benefits of our work is a huge reward. Hedge laying provides shelter and a nesting site for birds and constructing fences to control where livestock are able to graze preserves the balance of habitats. It’s great to see what a positive impact our work has in local communities.”

The running of the organisation is overseen by a dedicated committee that holds regular monthly meetings which anybody can attend.

For more information about Oxford Conservation Volunteers, including events throughout the summer and autumn, how to prepare and join activities, frequently asked questions and membership, visit www.ocv.org.uk.

Contact Tim on 07909 957 344 or email tasks@ocv.org.uk to discuss new conservation projects.