Pillwort - copyright Pond Conservation.
Six new ponds have been created at Hodbarrow to safeguard rare plants and animals, thanks to funding and support from the Million Ponds Project and Biffaward.
A staggering 80% of ponds in the countryside are in poor or very poor condition, so it is very important that new clean water ponds such as these are created, giving the hundreds of species that depend on ponds a fighting chance. The new ponds at Hodbarrow will mean that Pillwort, and many other plants and animals, will have a secure future.
Creating clean water ponds that will develop in to rich wildlife hotspots is relatively straight forward, as long as you adhere to three key criteria: 1) ponds need a clean water source, free from fertilisers, pesticides, run-off from roads, leaky septic tanks or run-off from intensive agriculture; 2) ponds need to be left to colonise naturally, without the addition of plants and animals; 3) ponds need to be left to thrive without undue disturbance.
The Million Pond Project provides support and guidance to any landowner or manager in England or Wales who wants to create news ponds for wildlife through the advice line at info@pondconservation.org.uk and 01865 483 249, and via the website at www.pondconservation.org.uk/millionponds where you can find the Pond Creation Toolkit, a key resource for anyone thinking of digging a wildlife pond, explaining everything from designing ponds to choosing the right digger, and details of the Pond Digging Fund.