Ponds and potatoes

In years gone by a walk through farmland wouldn’t be complete without passing a pond or two. But sadly they’re increasingly rare on farms, but why? In this episode we head down to the farm to find out more about why rather than filling them in, farmers are now understanding the benefits that ponds can have in creating biodiversity. Riverford in Devon is one of the UK’s most well known organic farms and they’re bringing new life to the land, such as helping to provide homes for hungry toads, who are keeping the slugs off your lettuces. Riverford founder Guy Singh-Watson tells us all about it and how his perceptions of ponds have changed throughout his life. We also head to Ealing Wildlife Group in London to meet vet and conservationist Sean McCormack who’s work there is helping to preserve the Great Crested Newt in ponds which were once farmland ponds.  Megan also learns about insect chimneys and ghost ponds from WWT’s Principal Research Officer, Dr Sarah Davies. Featuring: Guy Singh-Watson and Anna David from Riverford, Dr Sarah Davies (Principal Research Officer, WWT) and Dr Sean McCormack. Presented by Megan McCubbin. If listening to this podcast inspires you to take action for wetlands and find out more then visit wwt.org.uk Waterlands is a series brought to you by the WWT. It’s an 18Sixty production, the producer is Melvin Rickarby and original music is by Noah Bloom.