The Pond

The woods close to where I live were designated as a local nature reserve by the City Council. A range of habitats were created and information boards were erected describing the origins of the area and the range of wildlife to be found. During the past two years I have seen parts of the woodland coppiced and some new trees planted, but sadly it is looking increasingly neglected and overgrown. This is (was) the pond. The council, like local authorities everywhere has been struggling with staffing and budget cuts. Creating green spaces where people can relax, learn and enjoy nature seems low on the list of political priorities. The pond seems to me though to reflect a wider malaise in society that increasingly leads to people loosing (or not even discovering) their relationship with nature. The pond needs to be cleared, in more ways than one!