Nature focus

After discussion with our partners, Northumbrian Water decided that the most effective method of progressing our biodiversity work is to focus on one topic each year.  The focus rotates between a species, a habitat and a specific activity (e.g. training). 

Once the focus has been decided on, a work program for the year is drawn up, and local groups identified to work with to achieve our Biodiversity Action Plan targets.  The choice of focus allows us to incorporate local, county and regional targets as well as wider national targets.  These targets will all be linked to the species and habitats that have previously been identified as being priorities for Northumbrian Water. 

Through our annual focus we aim to involve company staff, the conservation organisations that we already work in partnership with, and other interested groups.

Ponds and wetlands – 2009/10 nature focus

In our northern operating area we have more than 90 ponds spread over sites including; water and sewage treatment works and on land surrounding a number of our reservoirs.  These offer a  refuge for a wide diversity of wildlife include frogs, toads, newts, dragonflies and damselflies.

We undertake a regular survey programme on our landholdings and this year, as part of our Nature Focus, we are placing special emphasis on pond surveys.  The results from these surveys will provide valuable data on the wildlife present and, as they will be based on a national standard methodology, will allow us to assess their value on a national scale.

Northumbrian Water and Essex and Suffolk Water have also provided financial support to the wildlife charity Amphibian and Reptile Conservation to enable the production of a revised guide on how to build a wildlife pond.  A pdf version of this document is available to download on the website: www.froglife.org/justaddwater.

Regional activities

Various activities are planned to help improve ponds & wetlands on our landholdings and to increase staff awareness by organising internal competitions and events:

Essex and Suffolk area
Some of the activities planned include pond dipping and a toad patrol at Lound Water Treatment Works.  Further details to follow.

Northumbrian Water area
Some of the activities already planned include pond dipping at Bakethin Reservoir, dragonfly surveys, pond creation, newt surveys and lunchtime talks for our staff.  Further details to follow.

Previous nature focus themes:

Document	PDF
2008/09 Focus – Birds
2007/08 Focus – Shared Learning
2006/07 Focus – Woodlands