Wildlife Pond Creation & Restoration in Devon & Cornwall
Create a Pond that Brings Your Landscape to Life
A wildlife pond is one of the most rewarding ways to restore balance to your land. It provides habitat for frogs, newts, dragonflies, and birds — while helping to manage water naturally and improve soil health.
At Sasaquatics, we design and build wildlife ponds across Devon, Dartmoor, and Cornwall, combining ecological insight with elegant, low-impact design. Every project is tailored to enhance biodiversity, water quality, and visual appeal — and can be designed to meet ELMS and BNG requirements for grant or habitat funding.
Designing Wildlife Ponds that Work with Nature
We create ponds that fit seamlessly into their surroundings, supporting a rich mix of aquatic and marginal species. Our team assesses each site’s soil, slope, and hydrology to design ponds that fill naturally and stay clear year-round.
Our process includes:
- Site visit and ecological assessment
- Design of pond shape, depth, and margins for maximum habitat diversity
- Selection of native planting for oxygen balance and seasonal colour
- Low-impact excavation and construction
- Optional interpretation for BNG or ELMS documentation
Our designs range from small garden wildlife ponds to large rewilding-scale water bodies, each tailored for local conditions in Devon and Cornwall.
Wildlife Ponds for Homes and Gardens
Not every wildlife pond needs a grant or complex funding. A growing part of what we do is helping homeowners, smallholders, and community gardens bring nature closer to home.
We design natural-style ponds that fit into courtyards, meadows, or gardens — creating miniature ecosystems that thrive with minimal maintenance.
Even a small pond can become a sanctuary for amphibians, pollinators, and birds within months of being built.
Our home pond services include:
- Bespoke wildlife pond design for gardens or small plots
- Planting plans using native oxygenators and marginals
- Discreet water features and edging options
- Annual maintenance and advice for long-term pond health
These home ponds are not only beautiful but also improve drainage, cool microclimates, and contribute to local biodiversity. We love seeing how quickly life returns once clean water and native plants are introduced.
Restoring Existing or Neglected Ponds
Old or silted ponds can quickly be brought back to life. We carry out careful de-silting, re-profiling, liner repair, and replanting to restore balance and water quality. Restoration can dramatically improve habitat value and visual interest while qualifying for nature recovery funding.
ELMS & BNG-Ready Pond Projects
Our ponds are designed with Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) frameworks in mind. We can help you:
- Align new ponds with funding eligibility
- Prepare baseline and uplift data for grant applications
- Deliver measurable habitat improvements and biodiversity credits
This approach means your project contributes meaningfully to landscape restoration while unlocking financial support.
Planting Plans for Healthy, Self-Sustaining Ponds
Planting is the key to long-term pond balance. We use only native aquatic plants suited to your soil and light conditions, supporting oxygenation, filtration, and wildlife shelter.
Common species include:
- Yellow flag iris
- Water mint
- Marsh marigold
- Hornwort
- Frogbit
- Purple loosestrife
Our planting schemes promote natural filtration, discourage algae growth, and attract a diversity of invertebrates and amphibians.
Why Choose Sasaquatics
- Based in Moretonhampstead, serving Devon, Dartmoor, and Cornwall
- Over 15 years of experience in aquatic ecology and habitat creation
- Designs that support ELMS, BNG, and rewilding objectives
- Low-impact, wildlife-sensitive construction methods
- Trusted by private landowners, estates, farms, and community projects
We also act as a specialist pond and wetland creation delivery partner for Wildlife Trusts, Rivers Trusts, local authorities and schools.
Learn more about our pond and wetland delivery partner service.
Book a Free Site Consultation
Interested in creating or restoring a wildlife pond?
We offer free initial site consultations within 1.5 hours of Moretonhampstead. Let’s explore how your land can support new habitats — and what funding might help you achieve it.
📞 Call 08000371125 📧 Email info@sasaquatics.com or complete our Contact Form
Do wildlife ponds need a liner?
Not always. In clay-rich areas of Devon and Cornwall, ponds can hold water naturally. Where soil is sandy or free-draining, we use bentonite or EPDM liners that maintain water levels without harming wildlife.
Can I get funding to build a wildlife pond?
Yes. Landowners may be eligible for ELMS or BNG funding to support pond creation and habitat restoration. We can advise on eligibility and provide the ecological details required for applications.
How big should a wildlife pond be?
Even a small pond can support impressive biodiversity. Larger ponds, over 10 square metres, allow for more complex habitats and greater resilience to drought and temperature change.
Will my pond attract too many weeds or mosquitoes?
A well-planted pond naturally regulates itself. By choosing balanced planting and ensuring some open water areas, we create ponds that are healthy and low-maintenance. Small native fish such as sticklebacks can help with this balance.
Can you convert an existing pond into a wildlife pond?
Yes. We regularly transform ornamental or farm ponds into wildlife-rich habitats by reshaping, desilting, and replanting with native species.
Do you work with schools or community groups?
We do. We love collaborating on educational and community rewilding projects across Devon and Cornwall, offering both design and construction support.
