New Ponds in Newlands Valley to Boost Wildlife and Water Resilience
Sonja and Rick posing by their first dug pond - now
A farm in the Newlands Valley is taking the next step in its nature-friendly journey by creating three new ponds - designed to support wildlife, store water, and boost biodiversity. The project is being delivered in partnership with West Cumbria Rivers Trust, the Woodland Trust, and the National Trust, working closely with landowners Sonja and Rick Cooper, who took on a 30-acre farm just before the Covid-19 pandemic and have since expanded their holding to 77 acres.
The ponds are part of a broader, evolving approach to working with nature on the farm. This includes the restoration of wood pasture, the planting of 30,000 trees, the creation of edible hedgerows (fruit- and nut-bearing trees and shrubs that support both people and wildlife), and the use of solar-powered water systems to support cell grazing with a small herd of native Shetland cattle. Cell grazing involves moving livestock frequently through a series of small paddocks or ‘cells’, timed around plant growth cycles, to optimise pasture use and allow for healthy regrowth – mimicking natural herd movements and helping to build soil health and biodiversity.
“Creating space for water in the landscape is one of the most effective ways to reduce flood risk and improve resilience to drought,” said Caitlin Pearson, Project Manager for West Cumbria Rivers Trust. “Well-designed ponds like these also bring huge benefits for wildlife.”
The farm’s first pond, dug in 2022, quickly attracted damselflies, reed warblers, moorhens, little grebes, and thousands of tadpoles - a clear sign of the thriving conditions created when land is allowed to hold more water and support a greater diversity of species.
“We didn’t have a fixed plan when we started - just a strong desire to farm in a way that works with nature,” said Rick at Low Skelgill Farm. “It’s been fantastic to get support from organisations who understand and share that vision. Seeing nature bounce back while the animals thrive alongside it has been incredibly rewarding.”
By combining traditional low-density grazing with wildlife-focused land management, the farm is steadily creating a patchwork of habitats - from orchards and willow beds to long-rested pastures and tree-lined corridors - that support both livestock and nature.
The partnership with the three charities has brought together practical knowledge, funding, and long-term thinking to help shape a farm landscape that is more resilient to climate extremes, while quietly humming with life while producing meat and supporting a sustainable business.
“Ultimately, our aim is to return to a way of farming that would be recognisable to our ancestors a few hundred years ago,” Rick continued. “It’s a lot of work, but so rewarding as we build up our herd and keep learning along the way.”