NATURE-LOVERS have been invited on a safari at their nearest pond.
Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Wearside, has launched a campaign to get more people to learn about the region's wetlands by surveying their local ponds and ditches.
Survey results will help the trust build a picture of pondlife in the UK, mapping whether they are wildlife havens or polluted.
Anyone wanting to take part can download a survey form from www.wwtlearn. org.uk/pond and then send it to the trust.
Washington trust centre manager Chris Francis said: "Ponds have been central to British communities for hundreds of years, with whole villages evolving around natural ponds.
"The Great Pond Safari will help us to build up a picture of the state of ponds across Britain and, equally as importantly, help to bring people and wetlands together, encouraging a new generation of scientists, naturalists and explorers."
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