Healthy Ecosystem Recovery OxfordshireCase study

The Healthy Ecosystem Recovery Oxfordshire (HERO) explores how Oxford University can play a role in efforts to restore healthy ecosystems in Oxfordshire, by bringing the university’s strengths in academic knowledge, research capacity and convening power to support ongoing and planned nature recovery activities by a range of local partners and stakeholders. We are working with organisations from around Oxfordshire to maximise the potential for demonstration and research of HERO.

With its active network of nature recovery groups, Oxfordshire presents a unique opportunity to test and showcase a portfolio of different ecosystem restoration strategies, to become a model county for nature recovery. HERO aims to build a community of practice between the University and local practitioners, and will also form a resource for the University and its constituent Colleges within broader institutional sustainability goals.

The HERO network brings together researchers from the natural and social sciences with local authorities, environmental organisations, and community groups who are already working on a range of initiatives to help support nature’s recovery and enhance the multiple benefits that nature provides in Oxfordshire. We aim to support Oxfordshire’s Local Nature Partnership, and the development of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and a Natural Capital Investment Plan.

You can view our Oxfordshire-based projects here 

Thanks to the Oxford Martin School and the Leverhulme Trust for their support in making these programmes possible.