Clearing the pond for wildlife

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Bath Spa University students and staff work together to clear campus pond for Newton Park newts

Wednesday, 13 December, 2023

Students from Bath Spa University’s BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and BSc (Hons) Environmental Science degree courses have teamed up with staff to clear out the Newton Park campus pond to ensure its resident newts have the best possible chance to breed this season. 

The group of students have gained valuable first-hand experience working with Steph Greshon, Senior Lecturer in Conservation Biology, and Penny Snowden, Grounds Manager, to clear vegetation that slowly takes over the newt ponds. If this important work was not carried out the ponds would eventually disappear and there would be no space for the newts to display, mate and lay their eggs. 

Students have enjoyed being a key part of this practical habitat management while helping to maintain the biodiversity of the campus. 

Talking about the activity, Penny said:

“It has been great to all join together to clear the pond. The large bulrushes have been particularly problematic and have been very quick to invade, so that is what we have been concentrating our efforts on. Thanks to everyone’s work I am hopeful for a positive outcome.” 

Dave Harvey, a newt expert from the University's ecological consultants Nicholas Pearson, added that the clearing project could be likened to creating a 'disco dance floor ' for the male newt breeding displays. 

Newton Park campus is home to the great crested newt which is a European protected species and is the largest and rarest type of newt in the UK. The campus also features the palmate newt which is the smallest newt in the UK, as well as the smooth or common newt. 

This hive of activity makes the campus the perfect learning environment for students to hone their skills while studying for their degree, before going on to make their mark in the world. 

Watch this space for more eco updates in the future.