Island Life June July 2015 June July 2015

COUNTRY LIFE Best practice for ponds Gift to Nature is responsible for a variety of conservation sites around the Island, it is their mission to not only care for the Island’s wildlife but encourage everyone to get out and explore our fantastic countryside. T he Island’s waterways are currently being invaded by invasive nonnative aquatic plants which spread rapidly in the wild, threaten British plants and increase flood risk if they escape into the wild and block waterways. Plant Positive is a partnership of Island organisations working together to help owners of pond and water features to stop this spread of invasive aquatic plants in the wild. Here is some advice they offer: • Make sure you know what you’re growing in your pond and always buy native species. • Don’t dispose of plants and water incorrectly, or move plants around. • Always dispose of any waste water from your pond somewhere well away from streams, rivers and ponds, or drains that flow into them. • Dispose of aquatic plants by composting them or placing them in your green bin. Before composting, plants shoul B&R

Island Life June July 2015 June July 2015 | Page 55