Ponds are widespread throughout Britain with around 95% of standing water bodies being ponds under two hectares. There was an estimated trillion ponds in Britain at the beginning of the 20th century but over the last 100 years their numbers have fallen dramatically.

The remaining ponds are very vulnerable from increases in pollution, neglect from lack of management and lack of connectivity through increased isolation. Ponds support a wide range of species and as such are far more important for biodiversity on a regional and local scale than other water bodies such as lakes, streams and canals.

Recently ponds have been given a small measure of protection through the new Pond Habitat Action Plan although only an estimated 20% of ponds may reach the criteria. This new project will go some way towards both identifying where ponds are and to make some measure of their quality. We will also be working with the pond-owners to encourage good management of old ponds and the creation of well designed new ponds. The Million Ponds Project which is run by the Ponds Conservation Trust has recently produced some excellent new advice on creating clean water ponds and can help with advice and funding of large scale multi-pond projects.

The Ponds and People project aims to establish and support a network of volunteers in the river Wye area to:

• Survey, monitor and record the distribution and status of ponds and associated wildlife.
• Foster an interest in ponds, pond life, and their conservation. To develop the survey skills of those volunteers species identification.
• To enable volunteers to gain an understanding of the ecology and management requirements of ponds and pond life.

Ultimately we hope to halt the loss and deterioration of existing ponds and encourage the creation of new clean water ponds.

Thanks to Environment Wales for funding this project.