New Million Ponds Projecr publications and online tool
Launched on Wednesday 1st June 2011, twenty two species dossiers have been written in partnership with national species experts, covering pond creation for 50 BAP species including moss, aquatic plants, invertebrates, amphibians and mammals. Seven habitat and problem solving factsheets have been produced, providing detailed design information for creating ponds in woodland, grassland, heathland, wetlands and reedbeds, and river floodplains, plus overcoming the issues associated with ponds in areas of public access, and designs to minimise risk of bird strike.
The BAP Species Map has been updated to show the distribution and status of over 100 Biodiversity Action Plan species associated with ponds. The map allows you to click on any location in England and find out which species occur within 1km or 5km of that location, and also gives an overview of pond creation principles for each species.
The factsheets on pond creation on aggregate extraction sites have been revised and extended to cover more topics, including case studies. These factsheets are written speciifically to help the minerals industry identify and make the most of pond creation opportunities on sites that are being restored after extraction works have ended.
All these resources are available to download for free here.
Top projects selected for funding
The third and final round of the Pond Digging fund, supported by Biffaward, was hugely oversubscribed, so while it was sad to turn down so many projects, the Million Ponds Project team were able to put forward some truly great schemes.
From tassel stonewort in North Yorkshire to three-lobed crowfoot in Cornwall, and pondweed leafhopper in Surrey to lesser horseshoe bat in Pembrokeshire, the Pond Digging Fund will enable the creation of over 400 ponds for some of our rarest wildlife.
We still need to raise money to release the Biffaward funds, and to this end we have created a range of ethical gifts for pond lovers. The gifts, starting at just £10, will release ten times their value from the Pond Digging Fund. Every penny will then be spent directly on digging new ponds.
Give and Let Live - ethical pond gifts
Bringing back clean water to the countryside - Year 2 Report
'Bringing back clean water to the countryside' is a report on the achievements of the Million Ponds Project partnership during year 2 of the project. You can download a pdf copy here (low res) (high res), or you can obtain a printed copy by calling 01865 483249 or email info@pondconservation.org.uk
Improving ponds for Amphibians through the Million Ponds Project
A small but important part of the Miilion Ponds Project involves the management of ponds for amphibians and reptiles. This work is coordinated by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.
David Orchard, Project Officer with the Million Ponds Project, is taking this forward by developing a new project in Lancashire. David has been busy visiting farms across the county where farmers have identified opportunities to improve pond habitats or create new ponds for amphibians. When a programme of work has been agreed David will then be seeking funding to undertake the work.
This approach has the benefit of minimising the amount of paperwork for all involved by making just one bid for funds, and allows sites to be handled strategically.
Taking a strategic, landscape-scale view, rather than a piecemeal approach we so often find ourselves stuck with, means resources can be used efficiently in ways that most benefits the species.
If you have a pond site in Lancashire that could be improved for amphibians, or are interested in creating ponds for these species elsewhere in England or Wales, please contact David on David.Orchard@arc-trust.org
