Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2013 | Page 77

COUNTRY LIFE xxxx eat fun is wildlife is gr Discovering th Your local Wildlife Trust Broad-bodied chaser by Oliver Hine The Hampshire & Isle of Wight new ponds could be created in carefully chosen places where they will have the greatest benefit for wildlife. It’s very rewarding seeing the ponds fill with rainwater and amazing how quickly they start to colonise with plants and invertebrates such as water boatmen, beetles and pond skaters. Q. Why is it important for the Wildlife Trust to have a Ponds Officer on the Island? A. A Project Officer can offer impartial advice on how to create or maintain a pond specifically for wildlife and there is considerable demand for this here where there are lots of gardeners and small holders and people are interested in contributing to the Eco-island ethos. Also, a Project Officer can help manage the paperwork associated with planning permissions and funding for ponds that farmers and other land managers wouldn’t otherwise want to do. Q. What is your message to people that don’t have a pond? A. If you can, find a space, be creative and make a pond. You will enjoy it for years to come and know that you are helping our freshwater wildlife. Q. What are the plans for 2013? A. During 2013 the ponds and wetlands project will be focussing on the East Yar river and its floodplain, especially our new Wildlife Trust reserve at Sandown Meadows. With the help of volunteers, the Trust will be improving habitat for water vole. We’ll also be tackling non-native invasive plants such as Himalayan balsam, that are becoming a widespread problem along this river. Wildlife Trust works to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in Hampshire and the Island. As the leading local wildlife conservation charity, it looks after 57 wildlife reserves, has 28,000 members and 1,000 volunteers. The Trust manages its own land and advises other landowners how to manage their land with wildlife in mind. Staff and volunteers also carry You can find out more by downloading a ‘Creating a Garden Pond’ fact sheet from www.hiwwt.org.uk and search under wildlife gardening. The project is a partnership between the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and the West Wight Landscape Partnership. For more information please contact the project officer Nicola Wheeler on 01983 760016 or e-mail [email protected]. out surveys and gather data to monitor how our local wildlife is doing. Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire SO32 2DP Tel: [phone] www.hwt.org.uk Water vole by Graham Roberts www.visitislandlife.com 77