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The Banks Oakenshaw fund is an endowment fund held by County Durham Foundation on behalf of The Banks Group to fund improvements and maintenance works on the Wildlife Reserve.
The site (which was previously used for opencast coal mining) was restored
by The Banks Group in 1996 when Tony Blair visited the Reserve and planted
a tree to mark its opening.
In 2001 County Durham Foundation helped The Banks Group establish a £30,000
endowment fund securing the future of the site for generations of future users.
Community involvement is actively encouraged at Oakenshaw. Local residents frequent the Reserve; bird watching, walking the dog or just feeding the mallard ducks are all popular pastimes. Access for disabled visitors is available and local schools are encouraged to use the Reserve as an 'open air classroom’ for scientific and geographical studies. These educational visits are not only great fun but also help the trust to monitor the health of the Reserves wetland area.
The site which is situated within the 100 Acre plantation adjacent to the village of Oakenshaw in County Durham has a wildlife area, glades, ponds, open spaces, rides and footpaths.
The Reserve attracts a wide range of animals and birds including frequent visits by heron and wild geese. Fox and roe deer have also been seen at the reserve.
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