Oxford is a city with a large proportion of green areas, both adjacent to river and stream corridors and on drier land. It has very varied geology. These features mean it is far richer in wildlife than large tracts of rural ‘green’ Oxfordshire that could be described as arable deserts. Pressure for more housing in Oxford is extreme. This talk will explore Oxford’s wildlife diversity and its future prospects for survival in an ever-growing city.

Judy Webb is a local ecologist who has studied the city’s wildlife for more than 30 years. She is a voluntary adviser to the Oxford City Council Countryside Service as well as being heavily involved in the running of two City wildlife groups and advises other wildlife groups within and beyond the city limits.