Orange coloured moth on a pink flower with raggedy petals.
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Fen volunteer days

Help us restore Oxfordshire's alkaline fens

Our friendly volunteer groups meet regularly and carry out hands-on, practical conservation work to restore and maintain one of our rarest and richest freshwater habitats. We welcome new volunteers to join the groups at two wonderful alkaline fen sites in Oxford

Hinksey Heights

We run volunteer days at Hinksey Heights fen, Hinksey, South Oxford, from 10am to 3pm on the second Sunday of every month.

Volunteers get involved with clearing reed and other vegetation, to allow fen species to return. Activities also include raking, and spreading Marsh Lousewort seed. We ask volunteers to bring their own water and refreshments, including a packed lunch if they wish to stay for the day. Please wear wellies and suitable outdoor clothing, and bring waterproofs and/or sun protection according to the weather. Gloves and tools are provided.

For more information and to register as a volunteer, please contact Paola Perez: pperez@freshwaterhabitats.org.uk.

Contact us about volunteering

Aerial view of alkaline fen with people raking and scything and electricity pylon.

Raleigh Park

Volunteer days at Raleigh Park, Oxford, take place from 9.30am to 1pm on the last Saturday of each month. We meet at the Raleigh Park Road entrance (///melt.rarely.wedge) 

Activities include scything, raking, scrub management, introducing lost fen plants and rewetting. We ask volunteers to bring their own water and refreshments. Please wear wellies and bring waterproofs and/or sun protection according to the weather. Gloves and tools are provided.

For further information and to register as a volunteer, please contact Adam Bows: abows@freshwaterhabitats.org.uk

Contact us about volunteering
Three people scything with trees and tall vegetation behind.

About Oxfordshire's alkaline fens

Thanks largely to its geology, Oxfordshire has an internationally important concentration of alkaline fen habitat. This is a rare type of wetland fed by springs emerging from limestone. However, alkaline fens are often small and isolated wetlands, which – together with their wetness – makes them difficult to manage. Many have been neglected, and the short open vegetation has been lost through development of tall species-poor fen or scrub and woodland.

The Oxfordshire Fens Project aims to reverse this by restoring sites and their plant and animal populations.

The Oxfordshire Fens Project
Close up of Marsh Lousewort - a plant with pink flowers.,
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- Marsh Lousewort (c) Ross Birnie