WIREDGOV

The Million Ponds Project’s aim is to reverse the long-term national decline of ponds. It will start to bring back clean, unpolluted, wildlife-rich ponds to our landscape. Backed by the UK’s largest landowners, it marks a step change in how we protect our freshwaters.

Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: “Ponds are miniature wildlife oases - if looked after, they can teem with underwater life, providing important feeding and breeding grounds for a wide range of species, and creating uniquely rich areas where children can learn about the natural environment.”

She continued: “But in recent decades, many ponds have been lost or damaged as development and intensive land use have taken their toll. The Million Ponds Project promises to reverse this trend and is an important step in enriching the nation's wildlife and its enjoyment of nature."

The Million Ponds Project will start by making 5,000 ponds in the next four years, with a focus on 1,000 sites that will benefit more than 80 species listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, that use or live in ponds. These include the spangled water beetle, tassel stonewort and the pondweed leafhopper. The project will provide a network of clean water havens for these and other endangered freshwater plants and animals that depend on unpolluted water.

Alan Titchmarsh, launching the project, said: “Ponds are a vital part of our natural and cultural heritage, which are sadly in decline. To help put this right, I am delighted to be launching the Million Ponds Project today. This fantastic initiative will make a real difference to the British countryside and will help to protect many of our most endangered plants and animals; it’s a good news story which we can all appreciate.”

The project is coordinated by Pond Conservation, working in partnership with Defence Estates, Environment Agency, RSPB, Ministry of Justice and the Forestry Commission who will be digging hundreds of ponds on their land. Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales are funding regional Project Officers who will provide training and give on-site advice. Buglife and the Aquatic Coleoptera Conservation Trust are providing information about pond creation for rare species. The Herpetological Conservation Trust is co-ordinating part of the project, with the Amphibian and Reptile Groups (ARGs).

Dr Jeremy Biggs, Pond Conservation Director of Policy and Research said: “Two thirds of all freshwater species live in ponds but until recently, no-one has taken ponds seriously. Making ponds is the easiest and quickest way of getting clean water back into the landscape, which is vital for protecting our freshwater wildlife. It can take 20 years, and millions of pounds, to clean up one river but you can dig a pristine new pond in a weekend and it will last for a hundred years. The Million Ponds Project is the first to recognise this great opportunity, and we can’t wait to get started.”

Further information

1. The Countryside Survey 2007 included the world’s first national survey of the ecological condition of ponds. Only 8% of ponds are currently in good condition and that the biological quality of lowland ponds went down by around 20% between 1996 and 2007. www.countrysidesurvey.org.uk

2. The ten most rare pond species are Tadpole shrimp, Spangled water beetle, Starfruit, Brown galingale, Fairy shrimp, Lesser silver water beetle, Tassel stonewort, Three-lobed water-crowfoot, White-faced darter dragonfly, Natterjack toad.

3. The Million Ponds Project is a collaboration of 11 major partners, coordinated by Pond Conservation. Pond Conservation is the national charity dedicated to creating and protecting ponds, and other freshwaters, and the wildlife they support. The Million Ponds Project is supported by The Tubney Charitable Trust and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.