THE BARN OWL TRUST

The Barn Owl Trust is a UK-based nonprofit charity dedicated to the conservation of the barn owl and its environment. Established in 1988, it operates primarily through practical conservation, research, educational initiatives, and providing national information and advice related to barn owl preservation.

Mission and Aims

The core mission of the Barn Owl Trust is to conserve barn owls and their habitats. Recognizing the barn owl as a species that has become increasingly rare due to anthropogenic factors such as intensive farming practices, loss of roost and nest sites, road mortality, and poisoning from rodenticides, the Trust focuses efforts on mitigating these threats. By protecting barn owls, the Trust also promotes biodiversity, as these owls are apex predators within their ecosystems[2][5].

Activities and Conservation Work

The Trust engages in a variety of activities including:

• Practical conservation work on the ground, such as habitat management and barn owl-friendly land management practices.
• Provision and installation of safe nest boxes to encourage breeding and population recovery.
• Research projects aimed at better understanding barn owl ecology and threats.
• Educational programs and resources to raise public awareness and support for barn owl conservation.
• Operating a Live Owl Emergency Service and a sanctuary for owls unable to survive in the wild.
• Managing 26 acres of land acquired through a legacy in 2001, dedicated to barn owls and other wildlife[1][2][5].

The organization also offers professional training courses such as the Barn Owl Ecology, Surveys and Signs (BOESS) course and the Advanced Barn Owl Surveying and Mitigation (ABOSM) course to enhance expertise in barn owl conservation[1].

Structure and Operations

Based on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, the Barn Owl Trust is a small team comprising professional staff and volunteers. It is a grassroots, non-profit organization that values community engagement and encourages reporting of barn owl sightings and nests through its confidential survey website. While not generally open to the public, it hosts booked events for visitors to experience its wildlife haven managed for barn owls[2][1].

The Trust has five trustees and approximately 40 volunteers. No employees receive benefits over £60,000 annually. Some trustees receive payments or benefits for providing services to the charity. The financial year ending March 2024 showed a total income of £413,029 against expenditures of £1,948,621, demonstrating substantial investment in its conservation activities[5].

Significance

By focusing on the conservation of a charismatic species that sits atop the food chain, the Barn Owl Trust’s work benefits a broad array of other animals and plants, contributing to sustainable biodiversity across the UK. Its combination of direct conservation, education, research, and community involvement makes it a key player in preserving the natural heritage associated with barn owls[2][5].

[1] https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk [2] https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/about-the-barn-owl-trust/ [3] https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/about-the-barn-owl-trust/contact-us/ [4] https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/shop/ [5] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/299835