Inaugural Pond Restoration and Science Course — Report
Simon Johnson, FBA’s Executive Director, reports on the 2024 Pond Restoration and Science course.
On the 27th and 28th June, 30 pond conservationists gathered in deepest rural Norfolk for FBA’s first ever Pond Restoration & Science Course.
What followed were two days of inspiring knowledge exchange including lectures, workshops, field visits and a lot of dialogue!
Course tutors Prof Carl Sayer (FBA Fellow) and Helen Greaves (UCL and Norfolk Pond Partnership) shared their experience of a landscape scale approach to pond restoration, driven by good science and landowner / community participation. It was inspiring to see the rapid ecological response post-restoration when dormant seed banks are unlocked. Some nationally rare species were identified, including water violet and charophytes. However, the enigmatic crucian carp, revealed by Carl, stole the show!
The course was held in the picturesque village of Heydon. FBA are grateful to the estate for their kind permission to use the village hall (a first world war army hut) and the farm for the site visits.
Feedback from delegates was very positive, and we will be running the course next year. Early registration of interest at info@fba.org.uk is recommended to avoid disappointment.
