Turning Water into Wildlife: How to Fund and Deliver a Rewilding Pond Project in Devon
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 these challenges into opportunities for wildlife restoration, natural flood management, and new income streams.
Why Ponds and Wetlands Are the Smartest Investment for Your Land
A well-designed wildlife pond or wetland isn’t just beautiful — it’s functional. These natural systems:
- Store and filter water, reducing runoff and flood risk downstream
- Boost biodiversity, attracting birds, amphibians, pollinators, and aquatic plants
- Increase soil health and carbon storage
- Qualify for multiple funding sources, including ELMS, Countryside Stewardship, and biodiversity credits
Many Devon landowners now see rewilding ponds not as “nice extras” but as core infrastructure for climate resilience and land value.
💧 Funding Opportunities in 2025–26
Right now, there’s an exceptional window for grants and payments that can fully or partially fund your project:
1. Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT)
- Supports pond creation, scrape restoration, and habitat connectivity.
- Deadline: Typically April each year — start planning this winter.
- Managed by: Natural England on GOV.UK.
2. Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS)
- Offers annual payments for maintaining and enhancing wetlands, riparian zones, and species habitats.
- Ideal for farmers and smallholders.
- Check the DEFRA ELMS portal for current local options.
3. Rewilding Britain Innovation Fund
- Supports creative, scalable rewilding projects — especially those combining habitat creation with community engagement.
- Next round expected early 2026: Rewilding Britain.
🦫 How Sasaquatics Helps
At Sasaquatics, we blend ecological design with practical implementation. Our Devon-based team offers:
- Site assessments — mapping hydrology, soils, and habitat potential (using DEFRA’s MAGIC Tool)
- Feasibility studies and costed project plans for grant applications
- Design and build of ponds, scrapes, and wetland systems
- Long-term management and monitoring, including biodiversity and carbon metrics
We specialise in low-impact, high-value interventions that deliver visible ecological recovery — often within a single season.
Ready to Rewild Your Land?
Whether you’re exploring ELMS options, applying for CSHT, or simply want to understand your site’s potential, we can help you identify the most effective path.
