Devizes Town Council have been working alongside Nursteed Pond Guardians, a group of dedicated volunteers whose aim is to improve the appearance and ecology of the Nursteed Lane Pond and the surrounding area. The group first set out to plant wildflower meadows, trees and shrubs to enhance the area and improve the spaces for wildlife. The generosity of the volunteers who have purchased hundreds of bulbs/plug plants and bought essential equipment has been a prime example of a passionate group wanting to better the community they live in.
The group has also been supported by TH White who have donated both physically and financially to the project and another local business that has been heavily involved is Paul Jupp – Meadow in my Garden who has generously provided expert advice and hundreds of free wildflower seeds.
In February 2022 Devizes Town Council donated 15 trees’ to be planted by the Guardians to help improve the biodiversity of the area, this included an Oak tree that was planted outside of the play area in celebration of the Queens Platinum Jubilee.
As part of the project, the community group and the Town Council have worked closely with Wild Landscapes after evidence that there may be a possibility of Great Crested Newts in the pond, a European protected species. An EDNA test will need to be taken of the pond water to establish whether the newts are using this area as a habitat.