When we got the call from Natural England strategists back in 2019 to see if we could help them deliver a trail-blazing new approach to great crested newt mitigation, we naturally jumped at the chance. They required the fast and expert delivery of excellent quality pond habitats at scale, nationally.
Natural England had developed the ‘District Level Licencing (DLL)’ scheme because the existing ways of mitigating for the damage caused by development to protected newts and their habitat were failing. Great crested newt populations were still declining at a worrying rate and the habitats being created on or near to development sites were often in a degraded and fragmented condition, despite the large costs and delays associated with the traditional licencing approach.
Four years on, and FWAG East has become one of Natural England’s most successful partners in the DLL scheme, with over 500 ponds created and restored in that time across the four counties we deliver the scheme in (and many more in the pipeline!).
The people behind the ponds
This work has been an absolute joy for the team here – not only because it is a privilege to create and restore such high value habitats that will hopefully last into perpetuity – but because it means we get to work with highly motivated, enthusiastic, pond-loving landowners! It has been incredibly heartening to see how our members have risen to this challenge, and it underlines the fact that when landowners are enabled to take the lead (with the offer of reasonable funding, expert advice and minimal paperwork) huge gains can be made for nature conservation at scale. Together we are transforming the freshwater landscape in East Anglia, one pond at a time.
Many farmers have dug multiple ponds, or come back to dig successive complexes of ponds, over subsequent years, getting their friends and neighbours involved. Our pond contractors have also become as energised about pond delivery as we have, with many helping to spread the word and going on to deliver ponds on their own land. Thanks to this shared enthusiasm - and the power of good old-fashioned word of mouth in the countryside - our pond run-rate shows no sign of slowing. This reflects the appetite among farmers and landowners to ‘put back’ something of lasting value in these ecologically challenged times.
POND HEROES
We are very grateful to all the landowners and farmers who have given of their time (and space!) to create and restore ponds for the DLL scheme - you are all heroes! There are, however, a few contractors who merit a special mention…
Patrick McKenna
Patrick is a man on a mission. An ecologist and woodsman by profession, he is restoring a very special planted ancient woodland site (PAWS) in Essex near to the Suffolk border and is always seeking ways to bring further land under active conservation management. His pond championing efforts have spilled out onto land surrounding his wood as he has restored seven ponds for two of his neighbours! He has also helped spread the word by hosting his local farm cluster group in the wood to see his nine restored woodland ponds which are all hopping with life - including great crested newts!
Andrew Hull
Not content with digging scores of ponds in and around Essex and Cambs working on behalf FWAG East, Andrew dug no fewer than five ponds on his home turf last winter. Andrew has also helped in spreading the word about DLL ponds, recruiting further landowners to the scheme. He is passionate about protecting and enhancing the landscape of his childhood in the beautiful Pant Valley and fortunately for us has a knack of digging ponds which sit very well in the landscape. Luckily Andrew has a sense of humour too as he also stars in some of our pond restoration videos:
Richard Hull
While he is no relation of Andrew (above) Richard is equally enthusiastic and able on the pond project! Richard is not afraid to take on challenging restorations in the depths of winter and we love his cheery, can-do attitude and passion for pond work! He has also created a DLL pond in his own garden and is looking forward to watching it establish with his two young sons.
More ponds?!
We have funding for more ponds in most counties and are always looking for the ideal sites! Do you need a pond (or another pond)? Does your neighbour need a pond?! Refer them to us and be entered into a free prize draw for a year’s free Farmer Membership with FWAG East.
Meantime, pour yourself a cuppa, sit back and enjoy the following video (and gallery in the link below it) of the ponds you have helped us create - and think of all the grateful critters making good use of them!:
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