New
pond for King’s Wood
The Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership and the Friends of King’s Wood
have worked together to create a new pond in King’s Wood. The work was
supported by a £4,000 grant from Viridor Credits who operate the Landfill
Credits scheme from Shelford Landfill Site near Broadoak,
Canterbury
. It is the fourth pond
that the Friends of King’s Wood and KSCP have created over the last ten
years.
Jon Shelton from the Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership says ‘Ponds
in the countryside have disappeared as wet fields have been drained to
increase productivity levels, and their use for watering stock has become
less important. Loss of ponds
means less of the wildlife that thrives on ponds such as amphibians,
dragonflies, and certain types of plants. Although ponds on the downs are
not as abundant as those on the solid clays of the Weald, they
can be very important because the downs are a drier environment and water
is harder to come by. Newts are certainly breeding in one of the recently
created ponds and it’s hoped that more amphibians will breed in the new
pond.
The ponds are just part of a wider programme of wildlife conservation work
that over the last ten years has turned the woods into an even more
attractive environment for people and wildlife.’
The
Friends of King’s Wood are running another annual programme of walks and
events including walks focussed on bats, nightjars and reptiles. Walks are
free to members and £2 for non-members. The 'Friends' were formed to act
as the voice of the local community in relation to King's Wood. The wood
is one of the largest wooded areas in
Kent
covering 1400 acres and the majority is owned by the Forestry Commission.
Visit www.friendsofkingswood.org
for futher details of the activity programme or email enquiries@friendsofkingswood.org
Tel. 07523 203458
KSCP welcomes enquiries from landowners who have an interest in creating
or managing a pond. KSCP can
provide advice and have knowledge of funding.
