South West Water Nature Recovery Fund | Pond & Wetland Grants in Devon & Cornwall

South West Water Nature Recovery Fund – Funding for Ponds, Wetlands and Nature Projects in Devon and Cornwall If you are a landowner, farmer, parish council or community group in Devon or Cornwall, there is currently a major funding opportunity that could help deliver wildlife ponds, wetlands and nature recovery projects on the ground. South…

Bentonite Clay Pond Sealing in Devon: Natural Solutions for Leaky Ponds If your pond is losing water or struggling to hold a consistent level, you may be dealing with a leaky pond — a common issue across Devon, Dartmoor, and the wider South West. Many ponds built on sandy or stony soils simply don’t retain…

A Devon Morning Reawakened Early light ripples across a new pond near Yelverton. Water mint releases its scent as dragonflies rise from the shallows; a frog plops from a fringe of sedge; and a small cloud of damselflies flashes electric blue above the surface. For many years, this field was hard-drained pasture. Now, under a…

A pond pump is the heart of any healthy pond — keeping water circulating, oxygen levels stable, and filters performing efficiently.When it suddenly stops, your pond’s balance can quickly shift, leading to cloudy water, algae growth, or even stressed fish. Before rushing to replace your pump, follow this step-by-step troubleshooting guide from the Sasaquatics Devon…

Why a wildlife pond matters Wildlife ponds are one of the most effective, cost-effective ways to boost biodiversity on your land. Whether you’re a private landowner, farmer, or community group, a well-designed pond can attract amphibians, invertebrates, dragonflies, birds, and create stepping stones in the landscape for nature. In regions like Devon and Cornwall—where many…

💧 Thinking of Building a Pond in Devon or Cornwall? Whether you’re planning a large rewilding pond, a wildlife habitat, or a garden feature, understanding pond construction costs helps you budget effectively. At Sasaquatics, we design and build ponds across the South West using a design-first approach — combining ecological insight, native planting, and sustainable…

What is Biodiversity Net Gain? From 2024, most developments in England must deliver at least a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). This means new homes, commercial sites, and infrastructure must create or restore habitats so that nature is left in a better state than before. BNG is now a legal requirement in planning law. Projects…

Devon and Cornwall’s mild, wet climate is ideal for thriving ponds — but it’s also tough on pond materials. Heavy rain, fluctuating temperatures, and shifting clay soils can all cause leaks that slowly drain away water and patience alike. At Sasaquatics, we repair and maintain ponds of every type — liner, fibreglass, concrete, and clay…

A leaking pond can be frustrating — one day it’s full, the next it’s mysteriously dropping. Many Devon and Cornwall pond owners wonder whether to tackle a repair themselves or call a specialist. In this guide, we’ll explore the real causes of pond leaks, what can be fixed DIY, and when it’s worth calling in…

🌿 Why Every Garden Needs a Pond Even the smallest pond can become a powerhouse for biodiversity. From dragonflies to newts, bees to birds, water brings life — and designing a mini wetland can transform your garden into a thriving micro-ecosystem. Small garden ponds don’t just look beautiful — they also: Support pollinators and amphibians.…

Whether you’re restoring a farm scrape, designing a garden pond, or managing a community wetland, the right plants make all the difference.Native aquatic and marginal plants not only look beautiful — they keep your pond healthy, oxygenated, and teeming with wildlife. Across Devon and Cornwall, our clients are finding that a well-planted pond becomes the…

A single pond can bring life back to a whole community space — dragonflies over the water, birds at the margins, and children discovering frogs for the first time. Across Devon and Cornwall, more parish councils, schools, and local groups are discovering that small-scale water projects can deliver huge ecological, educational, and wellbeing benefits. At…

After another year of heavy downpours and sudden droughts, many Devon and Cornwall homeowners are asking the same question: “How can I make my garden cope better with extreme weather?” The answer often lies in how your land manages water. By adding rainwater ponds, swales, and permeable planting zones, you can turn excess runoff into…

Imagine stepping into clear, living water surrounded by reeds and dragonflies — no chlorine, no porcelain tiles. Just a calm, natural pond that’s as good for wildlife as it is for you. Across Devon and Cornwall, more homeowners are choosing natural swimming ponds as a sustainable alternative to traditional pools. Combining elegant design with ecological…

Big change can start in small spaces. Even a few square metres of water can transform an ordinary garden into a thriving habitat — alive with frogs, dragonflies, and birdsong. Across Devon and Cornwall, more homeowners are discovering that a well-designed wildlife pond not only looks beautiful but also supports pollinators, improves drainage, and reconnects…

When we think of rewilding, we often imagine vast landscapes, beavers, and sweeping ecological change. But you don’t need hundreds of acres to make a real difference. Even a single shallow scrape, swale, or seasonal pond can spark a remarkable transformation in local biodiversity — creating habitat, restoring water balance, and helping nature thrive again.…

If you own land in Devon or Cornwall — whether it’s farmland, a community site, or a private estate — you’ve probably noticed how water behaves differently in recent years. Heavy downpours, flash flooding, and longer dry spells are becoming the new normal. The good news? With the right design and funding, you can turn…

As autumn arrives and leaves begin to fall, many garden ponds start to suffer from murky water, sludge build-up, and tired filtration systems. If your pond’s looking dull or struggling to stay clear, autumn is the perfect time to book a professional pond cleaning service in Devon or Cornwall. Whether you’ve got a large koi…

Published October 2025 Wetlands are some of the UK’s most precious and productive habitats. They filter water, store carbon, buffer floods, and provide a home for extraordinary wildlife. Yet, too many of our wetlands have been drained, neglected, or over-managed. Through the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme, landowners can now access targeted funding to…

The common toad (Bufo bufo) has long been an iconic part of Britain’s countryside, inspiring myths, folklore and even children’s stories like The Wind in the Willows. But behind this cultural heritage lies a stark reality: the once-abundant common toad is becoming alarmingly uncommon. Recent studies show that toad populations in the UK have almost…

What is the MAGIC Tool? The DEFRA MAGIC (Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside) map is the UK’s official interactive mapping service for environmental data. It brings together datasets from Natural England, DEFRA, the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, and Historic England into a single platform. For anyone planning rewilding projects, wetland restoration, or natural swimming…

Rewilding is often seen as something that happens on vast estates or remote reserves, but the truth is simpler: every landowner can benefit from letting nature back in. Whether you manage a farm, a smallholding, or a community space, rewilding can improve biodiversity, strengthen your land’s resilience, and open up new streams of income. At…

Essential Autumn Maintenance Tips As the leaves begin to fall and the nights draw in, now is the perfect time to think about preparing your garden pond for winter. A little care and attention in autumn can save you headaches in spring, keeping your fish healthy and your pond water clear.   Why Autumn Pond…

As the days shorten and autumn rains soften the ground, this is the perfect time to think about water. Whether you’re a homeowner wanting to create a beautiful wildlife pond in your garden, or a landowner looking to restore wetlands on a larger scale, autumn offers the best conditions for getting started. Why Autumn is…

🌍💧 Wildlife Ponds for Climate Resilience: How Ponds Protect Against Floods and Droughts Climate change is bringing heavier rainfall, longer dry spells, and greater weather extremes to the UK. For landowners, farmers, and local councils in Devon and Cornwall, the question is no longer if these challenges will affect us — but how we adapt.…

🐸 The Northern Pool Frog: Restoring the UK’s Rarest Amphibian When we think of rare amphibians in the UK, the Great Crested Newt usually comes to mind — it’s strictly protected, a flagship species for ponds, and a regular feature in conservation headlines. But did you know there is an even rarer amphibian, once native…