Ponds, biodiversity and benefits

When you think of a community garden or community growing projects such as a city farm or forest garden, a pond is perhaps not the first thing that springs to mind.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) suggests that 70% of ponds have been lost from the UK's countryside, which is a massive amount and upsetting to read in this current climate with climate emergencies being declared in many countries across the globe. All hope is not lost with The RHS also stating "A pond is an attractive feature in any garden and, with a little thought about its design and construction, can also be a haven for wildlife." Find out more here. Ponds are wildlife havens, therefore ideal for improving biodiversity in a community growing site, with anything from frogs to ducks and everything in between. Whilst walking my dogs just yesterday (3rd April) I bumped into this magnificent Grey Heron in the ponds of the Gelly Burn, just beside Mains Castle.

Some of our fellow community gardens in Dundee have embraced the benefits of having a pond on-site, with both Fruit Bowls and Tayview community garden's each having a pond as well as Dundee's Maxwell Centre community garden.

Given that wildlife and biodiversity are essential for community growing projects, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) stating "Of all the habitats you can create to help wildlife, a pond is probably the most effective." it seems a very serious addition to consider for any community growing project.

Above picture of "Pond Life" by Brendan Kearney.