Berry Park Wildlife Pond

by Steven Compton in Bideford, , United Kingdom

Berry Park Wildlife Pond

Total raised £489

£1,530 target 48 days left
31% 15 supporters
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 22nd December 2024 at 8:00pm

To increase biodiversity and help mitigate the climate and ecological crisis by installing a large wildlife pond at the Berry Park Project.

by Steven Compton in Bideford, , United Kingdom

We are a small, newly established, co-housing community located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, near the beautiful North Devon coast.

In June 2021, the community purchased Berry Park, a large Victorian house, set in 6 acres of land.  The founding members came together with a shared vision to create an intentional community, wishing to live more in harmony with each other and with the natural environment.  We are an intergenerational community who are passionate about growing organic food and working towards lower-impact living, whilst adapting to the challenges of our changing climate and ecology.

Since the start of the project 3 years ago, we have: 

Left 2.5 acres of land that was previously baled for hay every year.  This has done wonders for the small mammal population, particularly voles.  As a result, we have many more predators visiting the land including Tawny Owls, Barn Owls, Kestrels (daily), Hedgehogs, Foxes and even Peregrine Falcons. 

Planted a 70-metre native hedge from the Woodland Trust. 

Erected 3 top-bar bee hives near to the pond area. 

Started building a 28 metre diameter Mandala Garden using Devon banks including areas of drystone walling.  

Installed 10 'no-dig, organic'  - productive beds on our journey to becoming 70% self-sufficient. 

Started planting-up a ¼ acre Forest Garden. 

Planted 14 Orchard trees, 190 Hornbeam, 62 mixed-edibles and Hawthorn and 315 native hedge plants. 

Separated the rainwater drainage from our extensive roofs and piped it down to directly feed the pond, year round. 

Earlier this year we applied for funding from the 'Farming in Protected Landscapes Scheme' (FIPL), to install a 20 x 8 metre wildlife pond.  We were lucky enough be be successful, and were awarded a grant of £7590 to undertake the project, which was completed in mid-September.  

As we are a not-for-profit company and not farmers, we had the additional cost of obtaining planning permission in order to receive the grant.  This also included an Ecology survey and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations.   These costs were not covered by the grant.  

A lot of work has gone into getting the project underway due to the funding scheme finishing in April '25.  Logistically, it would be impossible to dig in the winter, so we had a tiny window of opportunity before the weather turned.  We also had some unforeseen bad weather half-way through the dig, which doubled the plant hire costs and labour - costs which again, were not covered by the grant.

The work is now complete and we are delighted with the results, as are the FIPL team, but our project funds have been depleted.

We are looking to crowdfund for the costs of the planning application to the local council ( £648), planning consultant fees (£332) and the extra cost of the plant hire due to the bad weather over running the project (£550) - A total of £1530. 

Raising as much as we can of this total ensures we can keep taking on projects at The Berry Park Project, in order to increase biodiversity and enable us to share this beautiful place with the wider community. 

Please support in any way you can.

Note, the photo shown is not Berry Park, but is how we envisage our pond will look , once its fully established.  It's basically a muddy hole at this point, which is rapidly filling with rainwater!

Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.

£10 or more

Pond-skater Reward - Huge thanks

Deep gratitude from us & the pond-skaters. Warm & fuzzy feelings all round.

£20 or more

3 of 50 claimed

Tadpole Reward - Afternoon Tea & Tour

Deep gratitude from us and the tadpoles; Project/pond tour to include afternoon tea and cake on the lawn. Two dates available: Saturday 10th May or Saturday 14th June.

£40 or more

2 of 20 claimed

Frog Reward - The Fireside Sessions

Deep gratitude from us and the frogs; An invitation for two to one of our exclusive private music events (fireside sessions) during 2025. Garden tour available beforehand. Dates tbc but a choice of dates will be offered.

£50 or more

0 of 10 claimed

Diving Beetle Reward - 'Wildish' Camping

Deep gratitude from us and the diving beetles. A long weekend 'wildish' camping in the grounds of Berry Park for up to 4 adults or a family (sorry, no dogs). Access to a compost loo and cold water tap.

£100 or more

0 of 5 claimed

Newt Reward - Fireside Sessions Annual Pass

Deep gratitude from us and the newts; An invitation for two to ALL of our exclusive private music events (fireside sessions) during 2025 -To include a project tour; Have your name listed as a 'Friend of the Project' on The Berry Park Project website

£250 or more

0 of 2 claimed

Dragonfly Reward - Cottage Annex Long Weekend

Deep gratitude from us & the dragonflies. A long weekend for 2 in our cottage annex (sleeps 2). To be taken outside of peak season, before the end of December 2025. To include a project tour and community meal; Named as a Friend of the Project on The Berry Park Project website. See our website for photos.

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