We have received funding from Postcode Local Trust to do work at the BEES Nature Reserve. Our Living Ponds project will renew dilapidated infrastructure and improve habitats. We will work to increase the biodiversity and we will once again be able to use the site for a range of educational visits and open days. 
This project has been made possible by an award from Postcode Local Trust, a grantgiving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Please visit the Postcode Local Trust and the People's Postcode Lottery websites to find out more about the projects that their supporters fund, and find information about how to become a supporter.
Our Living Ponds project has been severely affected by the restrictions we have needed to follow regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. We are very grateful that PLT didn't hesitate to get in touch with us and give permission to deviate form our original plans. We are continuing to work on a revised plan to try and limit the impact on our ambitions.
We were unable to host a series of open days and educational sessions during the summer. We have also had to postpone visits to wildlife sites such as the summer visit we had planned to see the dragonflies at Rodley Nature Reserve, and trips to Fairburn Ings and St Aiden's RSPB sites to learn about other wetland habitats. We will do these next summer and autumn if it is possible to use the minibus for group travel by then.
We have managed to complete some of the key infrastructure improvements such as replacing the benches and relaying the paths. However, replacing the fences have not been possible as it would require close working. We will work with University of Bradford (our landlords) to find a solution to this at the earliest opportunity. The fly tipping is an increasing problem (like many places in Bradford and around the country) and we need to find a way to make it harder for this persistent anti-social behaviour to carry on.
We employed a tree surgeon to remove a few trees on the slope to allow more light onto the ponds, which had become very shaded. We will supplement this with some more woodland work before March.
Keep an eye on the gallery to see what changes we have made.
Practical volunteer days are listed here, as and when we able to host volunteers on site.