Conservation organisations in Norfolk are working together on a new project to reverse the decline of Norfolk’s ponds. The Norfolk Pond Partnership hopes to inspire and inform landowners to take action to care for
ponds as well as establish community pond restoration projects.
Ponds can be wonderful habitats for aquatic biodiversity including threatened and important species such as great crested newt, crucian carp, water vole and plants like stoneworts and pondweeds. They provide refuge for over two thirds of Britain’s rarest freshwater wetland invertebrates and act as stepping stones that allow species to move through the living landscape.
Although Norfolk holds more ponds than any other English county – with an estimated 23,000 ponds present – many are threatened by land reclamation, encroachment of trees, neglect, pollution and invasive species.
This new project is a partnership between Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Farm Conservation, Norfolk Freshwater Study Group, University College London, Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative and Natural England.
As well as providing help and guidance to landowners, the partnership hopes to establish a pond conservation fund that can be used to support practical pond restoration including the re-excavation of what are called “Ghost Ponds” - those that have been lost to agricultural land reclamation.
Conservation Officer at Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Helen Baczkowska said: “Ponds are incredible places for wildlife and hold a real fascination for many people. The Norfolk Pond Partnership is a way of pooling information and expertise on Norfolk’s ponds. In the coming months we will be seeking resources to provide advice and support to people hoping to manage ponds for wildlife. In the meantime, drop in to see us at the Royal Norfolk Show – we will have pond plants and pond beasties to look at and some pond experts to chat to!”
Most of Norfolk’s ponds are located in farmland, and have their origins as marl or clay pits and in some cases livestock-watering ponds dug in the 17th to 19th centuries. In addition the Brecks, west Norfolk and sites north of Norwich are home to some of the most amazingly diverse ancient ponds in the UK – pingos – ponds that occupy ice depressions formed during the last great ice age. A great place to see pingos is Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve, Thompson Common.