Project aims to protect village ponds

A major new scheme has been launched to protect ponds in villages across North Yorkshire.

The Parish Ponds Project, which is being spearheaded by the Wildlife Trust, is aimed at boosting awareness of wetland heritage and encouraging wider appreciation of the landscapes surrounding villages in Scarborough and Ryedale.

Funded by LEADER Coast, Wolds, Wetlands and Waterways, the project will see over 30 parish ponds assessed for their environmental and wildlife value. The history behind the ponds will also be explored.

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Jon Traill, project manager, was delighted with the response from parish councils that signed up to the initiative.

He said: “Studies have shown that small bodies of water, such as ponds and ditches, are just as important as rivers and lakes in supporting a range of aquatic biodiversity in the agricultural landscape. Therefore auditing the ponds we have now and learning how we can improve them for wildlife is vitally important.”

Funded initially for five months, the project also aims to provide other opportunities and support for parishes to improve their ponds.