In the last 100 years 90% of freshwater areas have been lost in the UK. Wetlands and ponds provide unique habitats for both flora and fauna Ponds support more invertebrate species than rivers and have been found to have a greater number of rare animals and provide important refuges.

Wetland Creation Grant Scheme (WCGS)

The Evenlode Catchment Partnership has set up a scheme to help farmers, landowners and communities create wetland habitat on their holdings to improve water quality, create habitat for wildlife, reduce flood risk and provide opportunities for education and recreation.

The scheme is now open for applications.

Milton under Wychwood, Sarah’s Meadow

A project started under a Thames Water nutrient reduction project had failed to get funding in time for construction, so the ECP decided to take this on under the wetland creation grant scheme.

The plan was to access a culverted spring in the field and create two ponds for wildlife. On exploration the culvert was found to run in a completely different direction so the pond locations were altered. It also became apparent in digging that although one pond was in clay, the other was in sand and had to be lined with clay to hold water. This clay was excavated from the field and then the pond spoil was used to fill the hole. 2 further in line ponds were created in the two brooks running each side of the meadow.

This part of the field has now been handed over from the developer to the parish council who will continue to maintain it.

Wetland Complex, Magpie Farm

A complex of wetland habitats have been created on Magpie Farm which is situated in the upper reaches of the Glyme.

The project aims to deliver multiple benefits including phosphorous reduction, increasing biodiversity, and providing recreation opportunities as well as being an effective natural flood management measure.

The landowner, Atkins, Natural England, Thames Water, and the Evenlode Catchment Partnership worked in partnership together to ensure the delivery of these multiple benefits.