The challenge is on! Can you be part of something big to bring life back to dew ponds?
April 12, 2023
An amazing opportunity has come up to help transform centuries-old dew ponds into wildlife havens buzzing with biodiversity!
As Earth Day approaches this month, a huge week-long nationwide effort to help the environment is launching as part of the Big Give.
Here in the South Downs, the National Park Trust is hoping to raise £5,000 – an amount that could then be match-funded to raise a whopping £10,000 to help bring life back to dew ponds.
But the clock will be ticking as the Trust will need to have raised £5,000 by midday on 27 April for the fundraising to be doubled.
Sophie Ritson, who oversees fundraising for the Trust, explains why dew ponds are so incredible.
“Dew ponds are amazing! They are truly oases for wildlife, providing drinking and bathing water for birds, and a home for dragonflies and other aquatic invertebrates.
“They also make good breeding sites for frogs, toads and newts and they typically support around three quarters of all freshwater species in lowland landscapes.
“Unfortunately so many have disappeared across the South Downs and many of them are in a very poor condition.
“We want to change this for the better, bringing life back to these dew ponds and providing vital water for grazing sheep and wildlife in an otherwise dry landscape. Just imagine what these dew ponds could look like in five years’ time if we can raise this money!”
And Sophie added: “The race is on to raise this vital cash in super-quick time and every penny really will make a big difference. It’s exciting to think that every donation we get can be doubled in value, allowing us to do even more than we normally would.”
The fundraising challenge begins at midday on 20 April. Donate here.
