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It's wellies, nets and smiles at the ready for the first week of June 2009 as we invite you to join in Wild Week on Ponds.

Everybody loves a pond - and so does wildlife. So here's a fabulous opportunity to find out about all aspects of ponds - the wildlife, fish, plants, maintenance and even creating a pond.

Various activities have been planned including pond dipping, pond digging and a pond picnic. And we need volunteers to help dig the ponds and do other jobs during the week.

Pond dipping is a fun activity

Ponds have recently been picked out as nationally important for wildlife. Beverley Rhodes from WildDerby said: "The Derby city pond survey in 2004 showed us an 80 per cent loss of pond - although we didn't map all the garden ponds then. But you then start to realise how important garden ponds are.

"If you're creating a pond, let's try and do something for wildlife with it!"

As part of pond week, three new ponds will be created in the city for wildlife to improve the habitats and areas. The new ponds will be in Chaddesden Wood in Oakwood, Sinfin Moor Nature Reserve and at Mickleover Meadows, a hugely important site for amphibians. If you can help, call 01332 361111.

Join in on our pond walk

Here's an opportunity to join a guided walk of some of the best ponds in the city at Derwent Valley Fisheries - with excellent views of the River Derwent along the way. The walks take place on Friday, 5th June.

Tell us about your own pond

As part of the project, WildDerby would also like to know about your own garden pond within the city boundaries.

Check your own pond for wildlife

Whether you have a large expanse of open water in your garden or a small tub or water feature, information about the kind of wildlife your pond attracts is of great importance.

It may be that you have frogs and toads, newts and dragonflies, or it may be that your pond is a welcome source of water for visiting birds and other creatures.

Whatever wildlife uses your pond, please let WildDerby know - it really does matter.