Get involved with Wetlands in my Backyard by taking part in our annual survey.
The information you provide on the ponds and wetlands in your neighbourhood helps us to better understand their benefits. What you've told us so far is compelling evidence that ponds are great for people as well as wildlife. We need to hear from as many of you as possible. This year our survey is gathering information on wetlands in public spaces. Even if you don't have a pond, your story is important to our research.
Two lucky participants will win a pond courtesy of FLP, which they can either install in their garden or donate to a local organisation. You'll receive all the components you need to create a wildlife pond.
WWT's Dr Seb Buckton explains below the importance of the survey and what the results will reveal.
It's about places close to where you live. Generally we think of natural spaces as being a nature reserve or somewhere you have to go quite a long way to visit, and you might only get to do that occasionally... but actually there's a wealth of nature right on your doorstep.
Very little work has been done to find out what the benefits of those places are for people. Most of the work that’s been done has been looking at the biodiversity value of the ‘honeypot sites’ – the protected sites, your nature reserves, your SSSIs... less has been done on the value of local open spaces and local wetlands to people.
Last year...
...more than 1,500 of you took part. Overwhelmingly you told us your neighbourhood ponds and wetlands are good for wildlife (99%), good for you and your family (89%), and good for your garden (81%).
Your responses also told us that the thing that bugs you most about your ponds is when they go green and slimy with algae. Fortunately this is simple to avoid and the benefits to wildlife and your pond are great, so we wrote a guide which you can download here.
As well helping us to identify how to help you, your answers are being used to inform the National Ecosystem Assessment. Specifically your answers are evidence of the current state of our urban ecosystems and how they are changing.
Read a summary of the results here or download the full report here.
