Restoration of Coxwell Great Barn Pond

The pond at Great Coxwell barn is an important part of the landscape and setting. The team at the National Trust have been trying to tackle the growth of the invasive weed Floating Pennywort there for the last 10 years. The current techniques have not been successful in eradicating the weed. In agreement with the Environment Agency a more drastic approach is needed. This project is for a contractor to scrape the edges and remove Iris clumps in order to take out the roots of the Pennywort. The Floating Pennywort could infect other waterways so eradication is very important as it reduces the light into the water and suffocates other native pond flora and fauna.

A floating island pre-populated with a range of native pond plants will help compensate for the habitat loss while the pond recovers. The island will give shade, provide plants for insect larva to pupate to the adult stage and give some nectar source to pollinators.

Additionally, the project is to install a lectern style interpretation board informing visitors about the importance of ponds and native species.

Also we will pollard one of the two willow trees around the pond.