Conservation plans have spawned an extensive work programme to create and restore ponds across South Lanarkshire and the East of England. In total 45 ponds will be created and restored, 33 in South Lanarkshire and 12 in the East of England.
Our South Lanarkshire Living Water and River Nene Dragon Finder projects have been given a massive boost by Biffa Award with grants totaling £96,178.
Our CEO, Kathy Wormald, said “There has been a steady decline in ponds and this negatively impacts on our local amphibian and reptile species and other pond life. Building work across the UK, has destroyed habitats. Our projects are addressing this issue by helping to create new habitats and to improve existing ones”
The South Lanarkshire Living Water project is part of an ongoing scheme of habitat creation and restoration that is taking place across Scotland, and the River Nene Dragon Finder project is working all along the River Nene from its source in Northamptonshire to where it meets the sea at the Washes. In total the River Nene Dragon Finder project will be working on 160 sites of which 12 are entirely funded by Biffa Award.
The projects will also train local groups of volunteers associated with each site providing communities with opportunities to get involved in their local green space.
Gillian French, Programme Manager, Biffa Award, said “Biffa Award is keen to support projects which improve access to the countryside and encourage us to learn more about our natural environment. This project does both and the training of the volunteers will mean that more people will be able to enjoy the ponds and surrounding habitats.”
Ponds are crucial for amphibians such as frogs, toads and newts, as well as reptiles and a broad range of other species. These vital habitats are at risk of disappearing from areas all over the UK, both through deliberate changes to the landscape, and through mismanagement and neglect. Our projects aim to tackle this through on the ground action and volunteer support.
The work will start this spring/summer, with new ponds appearing in time for the amphibian breeding season next spring.