Background

The idea for the Oxenhope Conservation Initiative (OCI) came about during the production of the Oxenhope Parish Plan, which was initiated by Oxenhope Parish Council.  The plan determined that there was a need to form an umbrella group that could coordinate conservation activity within the village, source funding for projects, provide advice and information for residents and provide working parties for projects.

Hence, the OCI was formed in December 2006 to help forge a sustainable future for the residents of Oxenhope.

The OCI will make contacts with local, regional and national organisations with similar aims such as The Woodland Trust, Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Forest of Bradford. Yorkshire Water etc.  The OCI would like to help carry out various projects such as tree planting, cleaning water courses and eradicating problem species such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, rhododendrons and mink from inappropriate areas.

In the long term the OCI could help bring new life to old features such as settlement beds on the Goit, and to increase tree cover by planting alongside existing trees in areas such as Manorlands and Nan Scar.  With the assistance of Yorkshire Water it may be  possible to improve conditions for nature at the village's reservoirs and improve people's interaction with the local fauna and flora, e.g. with the provision of a bird hide.

The OCI will be able to carry out surveys on different species within the village which would provide useful tools for further action. A local  bio-diversity action plan would be produced under the auspices of the OCI.

 

www.oci-web.org