Pond Creation for aggregate extraction sites
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 100 or so pond-associated Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species.
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. Both the Minerals Products Association (MPA) and British Aggregates Association (BAA) are project partners. Any new ponds created after August 2008 will count towards the Million Ponds Project target - register your new ponds.
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. 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.
To make the most of the opportunities on aggregate sites, the Million Ponds Project has produced a Pond Creation Toolkit specifically tailored to the minerals industry, including the BAP Species Map. This new online tool - the first of it's kind - was specifically developed for the minerals industry and provides information on which species occur near a site to help you target management or restoration schemes. It then links to technical information on species requirements and pond specifications in the Species Dossiers. The toolkit also contains six factsheets developed to provide information to a wide range of stakeholders. including planners and developers, consultants and estate and quarry managers. The factsheets are free to download here.
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).
A range of resources is available to support the creation of ponds on aggregate sites, click here for further information. If you have any enquiries regarding the management or creation of ponds for wildlife, please email us at info@pondconservation.org.uk or call 01865 483249.
Big Pond Dip 2011 - Join In Now!
Pond Creation Toolkit
BAP Species Map
Register your pond
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