Freshwater Habitats Trust
@freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social
National UK wildlife conservation charity dedicated to reversing the decline in freshwater biodiversity.
www.freshwaterhabitats.org.uk
www.freshwaterhabitats.org.uk
🪲 Invertebrate surveys at the Water Friendly Farming demonstration site have once again highlighted the vital role of new clean water ponds in bringing wildlife back to the countryside – including uncommon species.
Invertebrate surveys show vital role of new clean water ponds | Water Friendly Farming
New clean water ponds created at the Water Friendly Farming demonstration site are playing a vital role in bringing back invertebrates, including an uncommon species.
waterfriendlyfarming.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 12:01 PM
🪲 Invertebrate surveys at the Water Friendly Farming demonstration site have once again highlighted the vital role of new clean water ponds in bringing wildlife back to the countryside – including uncommon species.
⏰ There's one week left to apply for our Central Team Director role! The Director will develop and oversee programmes across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Closes: 21/11/2025 | £50,000 | Permanent | Full-time, hybrid with two days based in Oxford: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
Closes: 21/11/2025 | £50,000 | Permanent | Full-time, hybrid with two days based in Oxford: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
November 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM
⏰ There's one week left to apply for our Central Team Director role! The Director will develop and oversee programmes across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Closes: 21/11/2025 | £50,000 | Permanent | Full-time, hybrid with two days based in Oxford: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
Closes: 21/11/2025 | £50,000 | Permanent | Full-time, hybrid with two days based in Oxford: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
⚠️ The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be debated by MPs again this Thursday.
Please ask your MP to vote to safeguard our most vulnerable habitats and species by supporting Amendment 130.
🔗 Download our template letter: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/lords-v...
Please ask your MP to vote to safeguard our most vulnerable habitats and species by supporting Amendment 130.
🔗 Download our template letter: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/lords-v...
November 11, 2025 at 1:23 PM
⚠️ The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be debated by MPs again this Thursday.
Please ask your MP to vote to safeguard our most vulnerable habitats and species by supporting Amendment 130.
🔗 Download our template letter: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/lords-v...
Please ask your MP to vote to safeguard our most vulnerable habitats and species by supporting Amendment 130.
🔗 Download our template letter: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/lords-v...
Want to do one thing to dramatically increase wildlife? 🦎 Create a pond!
The Pond Book will help you to create and manage your wildlife pond. We also take a fresh look at a wide range of management issues and help you decide on the best solutions for your pond.
Get your copy here:
The Pond Book will help you to create and manage your wildlife pond. We also take a fresh look at a wide range of management issues and help you decide on the best solutions for your pond.
Get your copy here:
Buy The Pond Book - Freshwater Habitats Trust
The Pond Book is the most comprehensive guide available for the creation and management of wildlife ponds. Order your copy today!
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Want to do one thing to dramatically increase wildlife? 🦎 Create a pond!
The Pond Book will help you to create and manage your wildlife pond. We also take a fresh look at a wide range of management issues and help you decide on the best solutions for your pond.
Get your copy here:
The Pond Book will help you to create and manage your wildlife pond. We also take a fresh look at a wide range of management issues and help you decide on the best solutions for your pond.
Get your copy here:
A vote in the House of Lords has offered a glimmer of hope for our most vulnerable habitats and species. Will you ask your MP to vote for Amendment 130 and remove the most dangerous element of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill?
https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/lords-vote-for-amendment-130/
https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/lords-vote-for-amendment-130/
November 7, 2025 at 1:45 PM
A vote in the House of Lords has offered a glimmer of hope for our most vulnerable habitats and species. Will you ask your MP to vote for Amendment 130 and remove the most dangerous element of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill?
https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/lords-vote-for-amendment-130/
https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/lords-vote-for-amendment-130/
The new Red List for Vascular Plants published this week by @bsbibotany.bsky.social highlights the serious decline in Britain’s freshwater plants.
November 7, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The new Red List for Vascular Plants published this week by @bsbibotany.bsky.social highlights the serious decline in Britain’s freshwater plants.
📢 We are hiring a Director (Central Team) to develop and oversee programmes across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
🗓️ Closing date: 21/11/2025 | £50,000 | Permanent | Full-time, hybrid - two days based in Oxford.
Find out more and apply here: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
🗓️ Closing date: 21/11/2025 | £50,000 | Permanent | Full-time, hybrid - two days based in Oxford.
Find out more and apply here: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
November 4, 2025 at 1:59 PM
📢 We are hiring a Director (Central Team) to develop and oversee programmes across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
🗓️ Closing date: 21/11/2025 | £50,000 | Permanent | Full-time, hybrid - two days based in Oxford.
Find out more and apply here: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
🗓️ Closing date: 21/11/2025 | £50,000 | Permanent | Full-time, hybrid - two days based in Oxford.
Find out more and apply here: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
Reposted by Freshwater Habitats Trust
Often overlooked, small water bodies - streams, damp ditches, small bogs, ponds - support more rare species compared with larger habitats while high-quality ponds support about 2/3 of all freshwater plant + animal species in a landscape.
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freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/start-w...
🧵 1/4
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/start-w...
November 2, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Often overlooked, small water bodies - streams, damp ditches, small bogs, ponds - support more rare species compared with larger habitats while high-quality ponds support about 2/3 of all freshwater plant + animal species in a landscape.
🧵 1/4
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/start-w...
🧵 1/4
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/start-w...
Reposted by Freshwater Habitats Trust
Next week the planning and infrastructure bill is to be debated in The Lords. This is our last chance to get this right says @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/last-ch...
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/last-ch...
Last chance to avoid the ‘cash to trash’ harm of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill
At this critical moment in the passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, we urge Peers to support Amendment 130, which would ensure that Environmental Delivery Plans can only be used to address...
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Next week the planning and infrastructure bill is to be debated in The Lords. This is our last chance to get this right says @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/last-ch...
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/last-ch...
Great to see Herefordshire’s Ice Age ponds featured in the October issue of British Wildlife magazine 👏
Will Watson, Giles King-Salter and Beth Andrews have written a fascinating article about these ancient waterbodies and their vital importance for biodiversity - including many priority species.
Will Watson, Giles King-Salter and Beth Andrews have written a fascinating article about these ancient waterbodies and their vital importance for biodiversity - including many priority species.
Our October issue is out! Topics this time include Alpine Newts in Britain, Herefordshire’s ice age ponds, land flatworms, snowline slime moulds, and a tale of two teasels. For more, see: www.britishwildlife.com/back-issues/...
October 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Great to see Herefordshire’s Ice Age ponds featured in the October issue of British Wildlife magazine 👏
Will Watson, Giles King-Salter and Beth Andrews have written a fascinating article about these ancient waterbodies and their vital importance for biodiversity - including many priority species.
Will Watson, Giles King-Salter and Beth Andrews have written a fascinating article about these ancient waterbodies and their vital importance for biodiversity - including many priority species.
📢 Next week’s Planning & Infrastructure Bill debates will be the last real chance for Parliamentarians to save protected sites and protected species from development under Environmental Delivery Plans.
October 23, 2025 at 3:55 PM
📢 Next week’s Planning & Infrastructure Bill debates will be the last real chance for Parliamentarians to save protected sites and protected species from development under Environmental Delivery Plans.
📢 We are hiring a Director (Central Team) to develop and oversee programmes across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
🗓️ Closing date: 21/11/2025 | £50,000 | Permanent | Full-time, hybrid - two days based in Oxford.
Find out more and apply here: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
🗓️ Closing date: 21/11/2025 | £50,000 | Permanent | Full-time, hybrid - two days based in Oxford.
Find out more and apply here: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
October 20, 2025 at 3:01 PM
📢 We are hiring a Director (Central Team) to develop and oversee programmes across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
🗓️ Closing date: 21/11/2025 | £50,000 | Permanent | Full-time, hybrid - two days based in Oxford.
Find out more and apply here: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
🗓️ Closing date: 21/11/2025 | £50,000 | Permanent | Full-time, hybrid - two days based in Oxford.
Find out more and apply here: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
"To build the Freshwater Network, we need to think even bigger – and that means starting with the smallest."
Learn why we're focusing on small waters to build the Freshwater Network: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/start-with-the-smallest-to-make-the-biggest-gains-for-freshwater-biodiversity/
Learn why we're focusing on small waters to build the Freshwater Network: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/start-with-the-smallest-to-make-the-biggest-gains-for-freshwater-biodiversity/
October 16, 2025 at 9:15 AM
"To build the Freshwater Network, we need to think even bigger – and that means starting with the smallest."
Learn why we're focusing on small waters to build the Freshwater Network: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/start-with-the-smallest-to-make-the-biggest-gains-for-freshwater-biodiversity/
Learn why we're focusing on small waters to build the Freshwater Network: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/start-with-the-smallest-to-make-the-biggest-gains-for-freshwater-biodiversity/
⏰ There’s one week left to help us to map some of the best ponds in England and Wales!
Volunteers have been busy helping us to identify potential Priority Ponds, but there's still time to get involved: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resources/survey-methods-hub/priority-pond-survey/
Volunteers have been busy helping us to identify potential Priority Ponds, but there's still time to get involved: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resources/survey-methods-hub/priority-pond-survey/
October 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
⏰ There’s one week left to help us to map some of the best ponds in England and Wales!
Volunteers have been busy helping us to identify potential Priority Ponds, but there's still time to get involved: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resources/survey-methods-hub/priority-pond-survey/
Volunteers have been busy helping us to identify potential Priority Ponds, but there's still time to get involved: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resources/survey-methods-hub/priority-pond-survey/
Water policy is getting a shakeup in response to outcry at the state of our freshwaters. Including small waters like ponds, streams and ditches in the upcoming Water Reform Bill can bring clean water back to our landscapes.
👉 https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/small-waters-water-reform-bill/
👉 https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/small-waters-water-reform-bill/
October 10, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Water policy is getting a shakeup in response to outcry at the state of our freshwaters. Including small waters like ponds, streams and ditches in the upcoming Water Reform Bill can bring clean water back to our landscapes.
👉 https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/small-waters-water-reform-bill/
👉 https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/small-waters-water-reform-bill/
⚠️ We can’t afford to weaken national park protections.
We stand with Campaign for National Parks and have joined their calls asking the Prime Minister to not weaken the laws protecting national parks and National Landscapes: www.cnp.org.uk/about/our-wo...
We stand with Campaign for National Parks and have joined their calls asking the Prime Minister to not weaken the laws protecting national parks and National Landscapes: www.cnp.org.uk/about/our-wo...
October 8, 2025 at 1:56 PM
⚠️ We can’t afford to weaken national park protections.
We stand with Campaign for National Parks and have joined their calls asking the Prime Minister to not weaken the laws protecting national parks and National Landscapes: www.cnp.org.uk/about/our-wo...
We stand with Campaign for National Parks and have joined their calls asking the Prime Minister to not weaken the laws protecting national parks and National Landscapes: www.cnp.org.uk/about/our-wo...
Could your local pond be a Priority Pond? By carrying out a PASS survey, you could help to add it to the map and ensure that it is protected. 🐸
Find out more here, and carry out your survey by October 17th: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resou...
Find out more here, and carry out your survey by October 17th: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resou...
October 2, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Could your local pond be a Priority Pond? By carrying out a PASS survey, you could help to add it to the map and ensure that it is protected. 🐸
Find out more here, and carry out your survey by October 17th: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resou...
Find out more here, and carry out your survey by October 17th: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resou...
Reposted by Freshwater Habitats Trust
Scrapping the Climate Change Act would be an act of national self-harm🚨
It inspired laws across the globe, billions in green investment, and a promise to protect future generations🌱
That promise must not be broken⛓️💥
Read more👇
www.wcl.org.uk/ripping-up-c...
#ClimateChangeAct
It inspired laws across the globe, billions in green investment, and a promise to protect future generations🌱
That promise must not be broken⛓️💥
Read more👇
www.wcl.org.uk/ripping-up-c...
#ClimateChangeAct
Ripping up Climate Change Act would be an act of national self-harm
Ripping up Climate Change Act would be an act of national self-harm
www.wcl.org.uk
October 2, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Scrapping the Climate Change Act would be an act of national self-harm🚨
It inspired laws across the globe, billions in green investment, and a promise to protect future generations🌱
That promise must not be broken⛓️💥
Read more👇
www.wcl.org.uk/ripping-up-c...
#ClimateChangeAct
It inspired laws across the globe, billions in green investment, and a promise to protect future generations🌱
That promise must not be broken⛓️💥
Read more👇
www.wcl.org.uk/ripping-up-c...
#ClimateChangeAct
A timely report from the Campaign for National Parks with @theriverstrust.bsky.social underlines why we need to prioritise protecting the best remaining freshwaters.
Read our blog on the Rivers at Risk Report: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/rivers-...
📷 Lymington River (c) Katharina Brandt/Alamy
Read our blog on the Rivers at Risk Report: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/rivers-...
📷 Lymington River (c) Katharina Brandt/Alamy
September 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
A timely report from the Campaign for National Parks with @theriverstrust.bsky.social underlines why we need to prioritise protecting the best remaining freshwaters.
Read our blog on the Rivers at Risk Report: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/rivers-...
📷 Lymington River (c) Katharina Brandt/Alamy
Read our blog on the Rivers at Risk Report: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/rivers-...
📷 Lymington River (c) Katharina Brandt/Alamy
There’s four weeks left for our Priority Pond surveys!
🔎 Our fantastic volunteers have completed 180 surveys so far. Could you help us to survey even more ponds?
Priority Ponds have high conservation value and we need your help to find them.
👉 freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/.../priority...
🔎 Our fantastic volunteers have completed 180 surveys so far. Could you help us to survey even more ponds?
Priority Ponds have high conservation value and we need your help to find them.
👉 freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/.../priority...
September 19, 2025 at 9:14 AM
There’s four weeks left for our Priority Pond surveys!
🔎 Our fantastic volunteers have completed 180 surveys so far. Could you help us to survey even more ponds?
Priority Ponds have high conservation value and we need your help to find them.
👉 freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/.../priority...
🔎 Our fantastic volunteers have completed 180 surveys so far. Could you help us to survey even more ponds?
Priority Ponds have high conservation value and we need your help to find them.
👉 freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/.../priority...
Reposted by Freshwater Habitats Trust
Research reveals 24 most important landscapes for freshwater wildlife - @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social
Published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence, the research pinpoints the regions – from the Scottish border to Cornwall – that are richest in freshwater plants and animals.
c-js.co.uk/3JAaoOF
Published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence, the research pinpoints the regions – from the Scottish border to Cornwall – that are richest in freshwater plants and animals.
c-js.co.uk/3JAaoOF
Research reveals 24 most important landscapes for freshwater wildlife
A new study has identified the 24 most important landscapes for freshwater wildlife in England and Wales. Published today (1st September) in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence, the…
c-js.co.uk
September 1, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Research reveals 24 most important landscapes for freshwater wildlife - @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social
Published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence, the research pinpoints the regions – from the Scottish border to Cornwall – that are richest in freshwater plants and animals.
c-js.co.uk/3JAaoOF
Published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence, the research pinpoints the regions – from the Scottish border to Cornwall – that are richest in freshwater plants and animals.
c-js.co.uk/3JAaoOF
📢 A new study, published in @aer-ese-bes.bsky.social, sets out the vision for the Freshwater Network – our new national strategy to tackle the crisis facing freshwater species – and identifies the 24 most important landscapes for freshwater wildlife in England and Wales:
Building the Freshwater Network: A new approach to the identification of freshwater biodiversity hotspots and restoration opportunities in England and Wales
Existing water environment policy, mostly focused on the siloed management of large waters, has not succeeded in restoring freshwater biodiversity in England and Wales. This study outlines the Freshw...
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 1, 2025 at 10:41 AM
📢 A new study, published in @aer-ese-bes.bsky.social, sets out the vision for the Freshwater Network – our new national strategy to tackle the crisis facing freshwater species – and identifies the 24 most important landscapes for freshwater wildlife in England and Wales:
⚠️ The Planning and Infrastructure Bill undermines the protection of our rarest habitats and species. It’s an open door to irreversible environmental damage.
Without stronger safeguards, protected nature sites are at risk of destruction: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...
Without stronger safeguards, protected nature sites are at risk of destruction: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...
Response to amendments to Planning and Infrastructure Bill
The Government's amendments to Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill don’t go far enough to protect our best nature sites.
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk
August 28, 2025 at 1:06 PM
⚠️ The Planning and Infrastructure Bill undermines the protection of our rarest habitats and species. It’s an open door to irreversible environmental damage.
Without stronger safeguards, protected nature sites are at risk of destruction: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...
Without stronger safeguards, protected nature sites are at risk of destruction: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...
🚨 Some of our most exceptionally important habitats, such as ancient ice age ponds, raised bogs and species-rich meadows, are at risk of destruction under the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
We call on the Government to ensure these special places are protected. ⬇️
We call on the Government to ensure these special places are protected. ⬇️
Response to amendments to Planning and Infrastructure Bill
The Government's amendments to Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill don’t go far enough to protect our best nature sites.
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk
August 22, 2025 at 9:45 AM
🚨 Some of our most exceptionally important habitats, such as ancient ice age ponds, raised bogs and species-rich meadows, are at risk of destruction under the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
We call on the Government to ensure these special places are protected. ⬇️
We call on the Government to ensure these special places are protected. ⬇️
Troubling reports of a second planning bill that will further weaken protections for threatened habitats and species.
If the Government proceeds with these reforms, it will have broken entirely with its manifesto pledge to ‘tackle the nature emergency’.
Read our full response:
If the Government proceeds with these reforms, it will have broken entirely with its manifesto pledge to ‘tackle the nature emergency’.
Read our full response:
Freshwater Habitats Trust response to new Planning Bill rumours
We’re hearing troubling reports of a second planning bill, which would weaken protections for habitats and protected species.
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk
August 19, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Troubling reports of a second planning bill that will further weaken protections for threatened habitats and species.
If the Government proceeds with these reforms, it will have broken entirely with its manifesto pledge to ‘tackle the nature emergency’.
Read our full response:
If the Government proceeds with these reforms, it will have broken entirely with its manifesto pledge to ‘tackle the nature emergency’.
Read our full response: