The Million Ponds Project aims to encourage the creation of large numbers of high quality, clean water ponds across the UK. This will support target delivery for the new Pond Habitat Action Plan and for 80+ pond-associated Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species.
Clean water is a critical element of the project because most countryside ponds are now badly damaged by pollution, and evidence shows that pond wildlife is declining across the UK. Making clean new ponds is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect freshwater wildlife.
The aggregates industry has an important role to play in delivering BAP targets because aggregate extraction sites are one of the few extensive areas, outside nature reserves, where it is possible to easily create clean water ponds.
In November 2009 an 18 month project was set up to provide support for the aggregates industry, funded by the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF). A dedicated Minerals Project Officer is now working with the Million Ponds Project team to advise the industry on pond creation and will be in post until March 2011. During that time, 100-200 clean water ponds will be created on aggregates sites, and 50% of these will be designed for pond-associated BAP species.
Ponds can be created on sites during the restoration phase, or on sites which have already been restored where ponds can be 'retro-fitted' as part of management activities. Clean water pond creation should also be integrated in planning applications for future extraction at an early stage.
This pond creation target will be achieved through the provision of:
- Site visits and technical support for pond creation at high priority sites
- Best-practice advice to aggregate extraction industry stakeholders on pond-related issues, with a particular focus on clean water pond creation
- Training courses
Pond creation on aggregate extraction sites can be very cost-effective (because earth-moving equipment may already be available on site), and can be integrated as part of any after-use (e.g. nature conservation, amenity, housing).
The Minerals Project Officer is currently active in England only. Although there is currently no funding to support this work in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, the industry-specific information produced as part of the development of the Pond Creation Toolkit is free to download by anyone.
