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
Water Friendly Farming is a long-term collaboration between Freshwater Habitats Trust, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Allerton Project, the University of York, the Environment Agency and landowners in the three catchments.
📸 Variable Damselfly - Alamy/Sabena Jane Blackbird
📸 Variable Damselfly - Alamy/Sabena Jane Blackbird
November 20, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Water Friendly Farming is a long-term collaboration between Freshwater Habitats Trust, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Allerton Project, the University of York, the Environment Agency and landowners in the three catchments.
📸 Variable Damselfly - Alamy/Sabena Jane Blackbird
📸 Variable Damselfly - Alamy/Sabena Jane Blackbird
⏰ 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...
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 message is clear: we need a new approach to the recovery of freshwater species.
On the new Red List, just 5% of freshwater plants have a reduced threat status - it’s a small start, but we know we can still turn things around.
On the new Red List, just 5% of freshwater plants have a reduced threat status - it’s a small start, but we know we can still turn things around.
November 7, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The message is clear: we need a new approach to the recovery of freshwater species.
On the new Red List, just 5% of freshwater plants have a reduced threat status - it’s a small start, but we know we can still turn things around.
On the new Red List, just 5% of freshwater plants have a reduced threat status - it’s a small start, but we know we can still turn things around.
The results look bleak for freshwater plants, but our research and conservation work has shown time and time again that we can halt and reverse species decline by protecting the best sites for freshwater wildlife, creating new, clean water habitats and working at landscape scale.
November 7, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The results look bleak for freshwater plants, but our research and conservation work has shown time and time again that we can halt and reverse species decline by protecting the best sites for freshwater wildlife, creating new, clean water habitats and working at landscape scale.
Their decline is due to habitats becoming more degraded and fragmented – or lost altogether - as well as changing land use and pollution.
31 wetland plant species are new on the list, and 91 species have an increased level of threat since the last review.
31 wetland plant species are new on the list, and 91 species have an increased level of threat since the last review.
November 7, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Their decline is due to habitats becoming more degraded and fragmented – or lost altogether - as well as changing land use and pollution.
31 wetland plant species are new on the list, and 91 species have an increased level of threat since the last review.
31 wetland plant species are new on the list, and 91 species have an increased level of threat since the last review.
A third of all freshwater and wetland plant species have now been assigned to one of four threat categories – Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened – due to declines in population or range.
November 7, 2025 at 10:24 AM
A third of all freshwater and wetland plant species have now been assigned to one of four threat categories – Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened – due to declines in population or range.
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/
📢 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...
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...
Are you part of a nature group in England or Wales? Could you help us to identify Priority Ponds?
Learn how to carry out a survey on our website, and please help us to spread the word! ➡️ freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resou...
Learn how to carry out a survey on our website, and please help us to spread the word! ➡️ freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resou...
August 13, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Are you part of a nature group in England or Wales? Could you help us to identify Priority Ponds?
Learn how to carry out a survey on our website, and please help us to spread the word! ➡️ freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resou...
Learn how to carry out a survey on our website, and please help us to spread the word! ➡️ freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resou...
🔎 Join us and Yorkshire Dragonfly Group this Saturday (16th August) for a guided walk on Strensall MTA in search of dragonflies and damselflies!
For full details and to book, visit: freshwaterhabitats.b-cdn.net/app/uploads/...
For full details and to book, visit: freshwaterhabitats.b-cdn.net/app/uploads/...
August 12, 2025 at 11:42 AM
🔎 Join us and Yorkshire Dragonfly Group this Saturday (16th August) for a guided walk on Strensall MTA in search of dragonflies and damselflies!
For full details and to book, visit: freshwaterhabitats.b-cdn.net/app/uploads/...
For full details and to book, visit: freshwaterhabitats.b-cdn.net/app/uploads/...
High quality ponds are vital for life in freshwater, but we don’t know where most of them are. 🐸
Volunteers are helping us to map them so we can protect these vital habitats and the species that depend on them.
Find out more and get involved 👉 freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/.../priority...
Volunteers are helping us to map them so we can protect these vital habitats and the species that depend on them.
Find out more and get involved 👉 freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/.../priority...
July 31, 2025 at 4:22 PM
High quality ponds are vital for life in freshwater, but we don’t know where most of them are. 🐸
Volunteers are helping us to map them so we can protect these vital habitats and the species that depend on them.
Find out more and get involved 👉 freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/.../priority...
Volunteers are helping us to map them so we can protect these vital habitats and the species that depend on them.
Find out more and get involved 👉 freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/.../priority...
⚠️ The Planning and Infrastructure Bill remains a threat to nature.
The Government has tabled several amendments to Part 3 of the Bill. These amendments have plugged some of the gaping holes in the Bill, but they don’t go far enough.
Read our response: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...
The Government has tabled several amendments to Part 3 of the Bill. These amendments have plugged some of the gaping holes in the Bill, but they don’t go far enough.
Read our response: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...
July 28, 2025 at 2:08 PM
⚠️ The Planning and Infrastructure Bill remains a threat to nature.
The Government has tabled several amendments to Part 3 of the Bill. These amendments have plugged some of the gaping holes in the Bill, but they don’t go far enough.
Read our response: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...
The Government has tabled several amendments to Part 3 of the Bill. These amendments have plugged some of the gaping holes in the Bill, but they don’t go far enough.
Read our response: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...
The Independent Water Commission published its final report this week.
Small waters – like ponds, headwater streams, and small wetlands – will be vital in the long-overdue restoration of our water environment
Read our response to the report: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...
Small waters – like ponds, headwater streams, and small wetlands – will be vital in the long-overdue restoration of our water environment
Read our response to the report: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...
July 25, 2025 at 11:11 AM
The Independent Water Commission published its final report this week.
Small waters – like ponds, headwater streams, and small wetlands – will be vital in the long-overdue restoration of our water environment
Read our response to the report: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...
Small waters – like ponds, headwater streams, and small wetlands – will be vital in the long-overdue restoration of our water environment
Read our response to the report: freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/respons...
Low-intensity livestock grazing is often overlooked as a conservation tool for managing high-quality freshwater habitats.
Livestock affect freshwater habitats by:
🌱 Grazing – nibbling and tearing vegetation
🐄 Poaching – churning of wet ground by hooves
#FreshwaterNetwork #ProtectTheBest
Livestock affect freshwater habitats by:
🌱 Grazing – nibbling and tearing vegetation
🐄 Poaching – churning of wet ground by hooves
#FreshwaterNetwork #ProtectTheBest
July 24, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Low-intensity livestock grazing is often overlooked as a conservation tool for managing high-quality freshwater habitats.
Livestock affect freshwater habitats by:
🌱 Grazing – nibbling and tearing vegetation
🐄 Poaching – churning of wet ground by hooves
#FreshwaterNetwork #ProtectTheBest
Livestock affect freshwater habitats by:
🌱 Grazing – nibbling and tearing vegetation
🐄 Poaching – churning of wet ground by hooves
#FreshwaterNetwork #ProtectTheBest
"While our research has shown that many freshwater species readily bounce back from occasional periods of drought, we know that excessively hot, dry weather year after year can bring more profound long-term changes to both standing and running waters."
Read our drought comment: lnkd.in/eYJ6hs6C
Read our drought comment: lnkd.in/eYJ6hs6C
July 18, 2025 at 9:58 AM
"While our research has shown that many freshwater species readily bounce back from occasional periods of drought, we know that excessively hot, dry weather year after year can bring more profound long-term changes to both standing and running waters."
Read our drought comment: lnkd.in/eYJ6hs6C
Read our drought comment: lnkd.in/eYJ6hs6C