There’s four weeks left for our Priority Pond surveys! 🔎 Our fantastic volunteers have completed 180 surveys so far. Could you help us to survey even more ponds? Priority Ponds have high conservation value and we need your help to find them. 👉 freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/.../priority...

Research reveals 24 most important landscapes for freshwater wildlife - @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social Published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence, the research pinpoints the regions – from the Scottish border to Cornwall – that are richest in freshwater plants and animals. c-js.co.uk/3JAaoOF

📢 A new study, published in @aer-ese-bes.bsky.social, sets out the vision for the Freshwater Network – our new national strategy to tackle the crisis facing freshwater species – and identifies the 24 most important landscapes for freshwater wildlife in England and Wales:

⚠️ The Planning and Infrastructure Bill undermines the protection of our rarest habitats and species. It’s an open door to irreversible environmental damage. Without stronger safeguards, protected nature sites are at risk of destruction: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...

🚨 Some of our most exceptionally important habitats, such as ancient ice age ponds, raised bogs and species-rich meadows, are at risk of destruction under the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill. We call on the Government to ensure these special places are protected. ⬇️

Troubling reports of a second planning bill that will further weaken protections for threatened habitats and species. If the Government proceeds with these reforms, it will have broken entirely with its manifesto pledge to ‘tackle the nature emergency’. Read our full response:

⚠️ We call on the Government to explicitly protect Irreplaceable Habitats in the Planning & Infrastructure Bill, or we risk losing them forever. These habitats, such as lowland fens and ancient woodland, are especially vulnerable to destruction. Once lost, they are impossible to recreate 👇

Are you part of a nature group in England or Wales? Could you help us to identify Priority Ponds? Learn how to carry out a survey on our website, and please help us to spread the word! ➡️ freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resou...

🔎 Join us and Yorkshire Dragonfly Group this Saturday (16th August) for a guided walk on Strensall MTA in search of dragonflies and damselflies! For full details and to book, visit: freshwaterhabitats.b-cdn.net/app/uploads/...

High quality ponds are vital for life in freshwater, but we don’t know where most of them are. 🐸 Volunteers are helping us to map them so we can protect these vital habitats and the species that depend on them. Find out more and get involved 👉 freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/.../priority...

⚠️ The Planning and Infrastructure Bill remains a threat to nature. The Government has tabled several amendments to Part 3 of the Bill. These amendments have plugged some of the gaping holes in the Bill, but they don’t go far enough. Read our response: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...

The Independent Water Commission published its final report this week. Small waters – like ponds, headwater streams, and small wetlands – will be vital in the long-overdue restoration of our water environment Read our response to the report: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...

Low-intensity livestock grazing is often overlooked as a conservation tool for managing high-quality freshwater habitats. Livestock affect freshwater habitats by: 🌱 Grazing – nibbling and tearing vegetation 🐄 Poaching – churning of wet ground by hooves #FreshwaterNetwork #ProtectTheBest

"While our research has shown that many freshwater species readily bounce back from occasional periods of drought, we know that excessively hot, dry weather year after year can bring more profound long-term changes to both standing and running waters." Read our drought comment: lnkd.in/eYJ6hs6C

Our strategy to build the Freshwater Network involves creating a network of wilder, wetter, cleaner, more connected habitats for wildlife. We need a radical shift to restore the freshwater environment: ➡️https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/five-reasons-why-we-need-the-freshwater-network/

Volunteers are playing a critical role in restoring Oxfordshire's alkaline fens - one of Britain’s most endangered and vulnerable freshwater habitats. Thank you to everyone for giving your time and braving all kinds of weather to make such a difference for freshwater wildlife.

Our CEO @jeremybiggs.bsky.social is a co-author of a paper in Hydrobiologia on the complex interplay between physical characteristics, land use and climate on nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in ponds. This research was part of the EU Horizon 2020 #PONDERFUL project. 👉 rdcu.be/eqrhl

On Friday, we welcomed two Secretaries of State - Steve Reed and Ed Miliband - to Hinksey Heights Fen in Oxford. We gave the Ministers a tour and explained how restoration is bringing back rare species to one of our most vulnerable freshwater habitats. 👉 freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/secreta...

Northamptonshire farmers have given local wildlife a major boost by creating new ponds through our Pitsford Water Friendly Farming project. 💧🪲 Find out more about the fantastic results for wetland plants: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/new-pon...

I did the very quick and easy PASS method for assessing priority ponds devised by @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social on 3 ponds today (between 3-19 years old) I already had a good idea, the Bladderwort and Fen Pondweed were good clues as to the importance of these ponds; all were Priority Ponds

💦 Protecting the best remaining freshwater biodiversity hotspots is at the heart of the Freshwater Network. And with its pristine freshwater habitats and diversity of species, what better example do we have than the New Forest? ➡️ freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/the-pri... #ProtectTheBest

Our Wild Oxfordshire Curlew Recovery Project volunteers have recently spotted a Curlew nest! 🐣 All eggs hatched and at least two chicks have since been observed. Each year, the volunteers monitor the number of breeding pairs, nests and fledged chicks in the Ock. Photo credit: Darryl Campling

The first of our Marsh Helleborines (Epipactis palustris) are *just* coming into flower. Near Threatened in England and Scarce in Oxon, they're flourishing here thanks to our conservation work. 😍 #WildFlowerHour #Orchids @bsbibotany.bsky.social @judywebb.bsky.social @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social 🌍

#ProtectTheBest is the principle at the heart of the Freshwater Network. This radical concept for freshwater means identifying the best habitats and making their protection our priority: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/we-cant... 📸 Freshwater Pearl Mussel: Andrew Shaw, Frogbit: Ross Birnie

Last-minute change to the line up! We welcome @samtasker.bsky.social to talk about how the @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social Headstart project will kickstart nature recovery by restoring headwaters. Want to come? Hurry! There are only 8 in-person tickets left and registration closes on Sunday.

Join us and @rspb.bsky.social , @wwf.org.uk & more for the first ever #WildSummitUK Featuring talks, workshops & panels it will be a day devoted to action to restore nature Tickets on sale now! 🗓️11th September 📍Bristol Beacon 🎟️ www.wcl.org.uk/wildsummituk...

As the Planning and Infrastructure Bill enters Report Stage, @swdevonrebecca.bsky.social has tabled an amendment to extend permitted development to pond creation under 0.2 hectares. This would make a real difference for wildlife ponds. Read our comment: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/exempti...

It’s been a biggest ever PondNet #SpawnSurvey, with 2,657 records! Thank you for looking out for spawn and sharing your sightings. 🐸 The records will go to Record Pool, a national database run by @arc-trust.bsky.social and ARG UK for research and conservation. The 2026 survey opens in December 👀

📣 The Independent Water Commission are currently examining the regulatory framework for the water sector. Today, they have published their interim report, which disappointingly overlooks the importance of small waterbodies. Read our full response:

⏰ It's the final week to submit your sightings of Common Frog and Common Toad spawn to the #SpawnSurvey! 🐸 This year's survey kicked off with the first record coming in from a garden pond on the Isles of Scilly, and we have now reached over 2,500 records! Submit your records by 31st May ⤵️

Big conversations about small catchments 💡 Yesterday's Headstart event brought together leading figures from the water and environmental sectors to move forward on a strategy to clean up Britain’s water systems – by starting at the top. Find out more: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/headsta...

Since the Planning and Infrastructure Bill was introduced, nature charities and other environmental organisations have tried to engage positively with the government. We advised that - with some critical amendments - the Bill could be the win-win for nature and development that we all want. 1/4

Believe it or not there's a pond under vegetation somewhere here in #LyeValley #fen ! time to clear a quarter of the invading vegetation to keep some open water in each pond for our #dragonflies @friendlyevalley.bsky.social @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social www.friendsoflyevalley.org.uk

Despite decades of investment, our rivers remain polluted, with their wildlife under threat. A new approach is needed to build a better future for freshwater. 1/2

Amazing news from our #Oxfordshire #Cotswolds farm that it has been confirmed great crested #newts are breeding/living on the farm, with our historic #wetland meadow one of the prime areas for eggs. Thanks to @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social for carrying out the survey.

Some of our Groups have been helping out with sampling this month for @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social Great Crested Newt eDNA Project which has been running now for 11 years. This is DerbyshireARG and the 2 ponds in the county that they recently sampled.

Have you added your sightings of Common Frog and Common Toad spawn to the PondNet #SpawnSurvey? 🐸 If not, you have until May 31st to upload your records. We can't wait to share this year's results with you! Add your sightings: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resou... Toad spawn photo: Kate Wright

Want to do one thing to dramatically increase wildlife? Create a pond! 💧 Our Technical Director Pete Case joined the Roots and All podcast to dive into the world of garden ponds, covering how to create one and what makes them such a powerful tool for conservation: rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/gard...

🦎 Since 2018, we've worked with @arc-trust.bsky.social in the Newt Conservation Partnership delivering the NatureSpace Partnership District Licensing Scheme for Great Crested Newts. The scheme creates new, high-quality clean water ponds to compensate for those lost to development.

“Nature is so beneficial to our wellbeing, and people who volunteer in nature really see the positive impact it brings to their lives." 🌿 Nick Thorn & Mark Clay from the Hinksey Heights Reserve Volunteers tell us about the work they're carrying out and the power of volunteering for nature recovery:

The Freshwater Network is a new approach to reverse the decline in freshwater biodiversity. 🌿💦 But why do we need such a radical shift in how we protect and restore the freshwater environment? Read our new blog to find out more: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/five-re...

Evidence-based conservation at its best! The possibilities here are both exciting and practically achievable. I am so proud to be part of the dedicated team at FHT. Now, let's make this happen!

The Planning & Infrastructure Bill risks weakening vital protections & missing the chance to restore wildlife and create healthy neighbourhoods 🏘️ Watch as our CEO @richardbenwell.bsky.social gives evidence & calls on the Bill to be #WilderByDesign 📺 www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...

Radical new plan could reverse freshwater crisis in a decade The UK’s rivers, ponds, lakes, streams and wetlands are in crisis, but @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social has unveiled a bold new plan to reverse the decline in freshwater wildlife within just 10 years. c-js.co.uk/4iu1QnU

🪲 The Freshwater Network is a solution to the freshwater biodiversity crisis, and is based on four principles. 1️⃣ Principle one is to protect the best first, then repair, so we can preserve high-quality habitats for broader ecological recovery. Read more: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/bold-ne...

🚨 Freshwater habitats are under threat, species are declining, and current efforts to fix this are failing. But we have a solution to the freshwater biodiversity crisis. It's called the Freshwater Network. (1/2)

🚨 In its current state, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will pose a real threat to protected sites and species. We call on the government to consider our concerns and strengthen the Bill to better protect nature. Find out more: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/plannin...

We have reached 2,500 records for this year's #SpawnSurvey. 🐸 This makes this the biggest ever spawn survey year - and it's not over yet! All records will be added to Record Pool, a national database run by @arc-trust.bsky.social & @argroupsuk.bsky.social ➡️ freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resou...

Without big changes, the Government’s Planning Bill could spell disaster for nature 🥀 The Gov has promised a win-win for building & nature, but right now the Bill doesn't deliver🏡 @richardbenwell.bsky.social explains what the Gov needs to do to make the Bill work for people and nature 👇

Along with CEO's from 31 other conservation organisations, our CEO Professor Jeremy Biggs signed this letter to express our concerns over the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, including the risk it poses to irreplaceable habitats ⤵️