Just Add Water to help wildlife thrive!

Froglife completed work on a new pond in Frome, Somerset, in collaboration with Frome Town Council in February this year. After just two months the pond is already brimming with life! Froglife is a UK wildlife conservation charity focusing on the protection of reptiles and amphibians and the habitats they rely on. The charity's "Green Pathways for Life" project provides opportunities for people living with dementia and their carers to get active and connect with nature conservation, to boost wellbeing and help local wildlife.

The new pond was created over several weeks, with Froglife's dementia groups taking an active role from initial planning to final planting up with native water plants. Now the pond is established, the groups have been monitoring the wildlife species moving into the pond. The first survey, just two months after the pond was created, found the species count shot up from zero to more than ten – including frog tadpoles, fly larvae, water snails, pond skaters and other invertebrates.

Froglife's Somerset Project Officer Zak said: "Although the flora and fauna are still developing in this new pond it's amazing to see how quickly aquatic life can flourish when we provide the right habitat. We've already found this rich community of species, which in turn will benefit all kinds of wildlife in the surrounding area. It's also a fantastic learning resource for local residents from school kids to our groups for people living with dementia, who regularly use and look after the site. A real win-win for wildlife and people!"

Unfortunately the UK lost 50% of its ponds in the 20th century and 80% of those remaining are in a poor condition. Many of our iconic wildlife species are in decline, including frogs and toads. Froglife research in 2016 found that common toads have declined by almost 70% in the last 30 years.

With Amphibian Week from 1st-7th May, it's never been a better time to join Froglife's Just Add Water campaign by creating your own pond! If space is tight a small container pond can be a huge boost for wildlife including amphibians, even in heavily urban environments. Why not give it a go with our free guide? https://www.froglife.org/info-advice/just-add-water/ Somerset Green Pathways for Life is funded by Somerset County Council, Frome Town Council, The Florence Cohen Charitable Trust, The Nineveh Trust, The Hospital Saturday Fund, Somerset Community Foundation, and Anne Jones.

In 2020/21 Froglife: - Created and restored 255 sites covering 962 hectares - Delivered 1,053 sessions, workshops and events directly engaging 33,045 people - Supported volunteers to rescue 81,761 toads on UK roads - Supported by 569 volunteers. •