We’re starting 2025 with some positive news: we have been awarded funding from Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership (BACP) to continue restoration of the dew ponds in Stoke Park.
The work will focus on the semi-circular dew pond in the lower area of the Park, building on work started in 2023. The restoration of this pond has historic and ecological value within the wider landscape, providing habitat for a variety of wildlife, including newts. Once fully restored, it will form part of a connected landscape of ponds and waterways within Stoke Park, supporting a wide range of wildlife and increasing biodiversity. This includes the dew pond in Pale Plantation, which was restored in 2022/2023, receiving publicity from, amongst others, BBC News in the process.
Tasks will be undertaken by volunteers and include clearing vegetation, rebuilding the back wall of the pond and repointing the top rows of cobble stones along the wall. Work is planned to take place from January, ensuring that tasks minimise impact on the existing wildlife.
This pond formed part of Thomas Wright’s landscaped parkland, and is an unusual semi-circular shape (most dew ponds are circular). Restoring the pond in its current location and with sensitivity to the original design is therefore integral to maintaining the history of this grade 2 listed landscape.
The pond is already being monitored for a variety of wildlife and is part of an eDNA (Environmental DNA) testing scheme, a method of monitoring the species living in a given environment via the DNA found there. This will continue and means that, once the pond is fully restored, we are able to measure its impact on biodiversity.
Our sincere thanks to the Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership for funding this project. You can find out more about their work on the BACP website.
If you are interested in getting involved in the dew pond restoration, or any of other projects or tasks in Stoke Park, find out more about our volunteering opportunities.