Ponds - Protection of Ponds - How can you help?

We can all help ponds and their wildlife in some way. Here are a few practical ideas:

Have a look around your neighbourhood and see if you can find any ‘wild’ ponds. If you think a pond needs improvement e.g. rubbish or plants removing, perhaps you and some friends or family could try to renovate it. It is best to ask for advice and help on pond management from professional organisations. The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) organises practical work in the countryside for young people and it devotes special attention to the restoration and conservation of ponds: Your local Wildlife Trust may be able to help you too.

By the way, ponds can be deep, so take great care and never go alone! It’s best to persuade an adult to go with you and help.

Pond-dipping is a lot of fun and a good way of finding out just what is living in a pond. A wide variety of creatures would indicate that a pond was healthy. However, always remember that the most important thing is the safety of the animals. Return them to the pond as soon as you have finished studying them. It is fascinating to collect frog or toad spawn to watch it hatch. If you keep a few tadpoles to observe their development, look after them carefully and return them to their pond when they have grown legs.  For more information see our factsheet: Care of Tadpoles and Frog Spawn below.

Create your own pond: About 80% of all Britain’s ponds are to be found in private gardens or school grounds. These are obviously much appreciated by animals such as frogs and dragonflies whose countryside ponds are disappearing. A garden pond designed with wildlife in mind is an exciting and worthwhile project to undertake – and not difficult if you have someone to help you. You will be surprised just how quickly animals are attracted to the newly-filled pond. Other garden residents will welcome the water for bathing and drinking. You may have birds, hedgehogs, mice, foxes and bats making good use of your pond. As well as providing a much needed home for some of Britain’s wildlife, you will enjoy watching your pond improve as time goes by. A seasonal diary of pond events makes a good project. 

For more information about making your own pond visit our Making a pond factsheet below.

If you already have a pond please help Pond Conservation by taking part in the Big Pond Dip and help find out what is living in garden and school ponds.