Conservation charity Wild Ground continues to deliver their Heritage Lottery Funded Newt Networks project which was launched in April 2023. The project aims to improve habitat connectivity for newts and other local wildlife.
The project has funded the restoration / creation of various ponds on nature reserves in Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham. Work has taken place at Wild Ground’s Glascoed site in St Asaph and the Maes y Grug, Knowle Hill and Spon Green reserves in Flintshire. The project has also supported work on sites managed by ARC and Flintshire County Council as part of the partnership.
Amphibians favour ponds with shallow margins for breeding, by increasing the number of suitable breeding ponds on nature reserves Wild Ground are improving the resilience of amphibian populations. By working with partners on neighbouring sites, the project is helping to improve habitat connectivity and quality in North East Wales.
Project staff have also been inspiring the next generation of naturalists delivering a programme of nature-based sessions to primary school children across the region. Education is an important aspect of the project, encouraging children to protect the environment, and improving their understanding of local wildlife. To date, nine schools have engaged with the programme.
Project staff have also been working with the pupils to make their schools more nature friendly by building bug hotels or improving ‘wild’ areas. Through a series of engaging and interactive lessons children have learnt how the protection of one species, like great crested newts, benefits other wildlife and how important it is to keep nature connected.
Work on the project continues until March 2025 with further education sessions, events and more capital works to improve habitats.
For more information, you can visit the project page HERE