We dig ponds

Literally. We are busy helping landowners dig and restore wildlife ponds - in fact we have created over 450 such ponds in the past four years alone. Find out how you can get involved below.

Ponds for Great Crested Newts - And More!

FWAG East is working with Natural England to deliver its District Level Licensing (DLL) scheme, a new, strategic, landscape level approach to compensating for great crested newt habitat lost to development. We are actively seeking landowners in Cambs, Herts, Essex and Leics who are interested in creating or restoring wildlife ponds on their land. Most qualifying pond projects have been fully funded under the scheme and there is virtually no paperwork involved for landowners.

To qualify for funding, ponds created or restored under the DLL scheme must offer excellent habitat opportunities for breeding populations of great crested newts. This includes good water quality, connectivity to ideal terrestrial habitat and minimal disturbance from livestock, dogs or humans. The full criteria for the scheme can be found here. If you think your project could meet these criteria, email us at ponds@fwageast.org.uk to find out if you are in one of the strategic opportunity areas for the scheme. One of our pond advisers will call you back to discuss.

Meantime, get some pond-inspiration by viewing
our pond case studies by county, visiting our
pond galleries, or read the latest research and
further resources on pond habitat restoration ...

Needless to say, such ponds don't just benefit newts! Numerous species rely on, and benefit from, clean water wildlife ponds, including beneficial insects and farmland birds. And even if your pond plans do not meet the DLL criteria, we can still help. There is funding for simple pond management under SFI and CS too. Consider joining FWAG East for support with your pond project, including a site visit, info pack and free telephone advice.