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This weeks episode features Rob Gandola, Senior Science Officer at the The Herpetological Society of Ireland. Rob explains why ponds are essential for wildlife, how they can benefit us in terms of flood protection and recreationally, and provides tips for creating ponds of any size in our own gardens.

Rob also explains the importance of ponds in the fight against climate change, with ponds estimated to sequester between 20 and 200 times more carbon than grasslands or woodlands of a similar size. Rob explains that the fact that these can be dug into most every back garden, residential or commercial development provides us with a proactive means to push back against climate change, while also providing essential habitat.
 
Bird of the Week is the Grey Heron, one of the few species which can eat frogs, which are toxic to most creatures. This feature and their presence at ponds as well as other water bodies makes them the perfect choice for this weeks Bird of the Week.

In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland  and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.

Further info links mentioned by Rob:

- The Herpetological Society of Ireland - The Herpetological Society of Ireland – Education – Research -Conservation (thehsi.org)
- An Taisce’s Legacy4LIFE Ponds for Biodiversity project - Legacy4LIFE - Ponds Project | An Taisce - The National Trust For Ireland
- The Freshwater Habitats Trust - Buy The Pond Book - Freshwater Habitats TrustFreshwater Habitats Trust
- Jack Ashton - How To Make the Ultimate Wildlife Pond - Part 1 - Digging the Pond - YouTube 

For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.