Ponds can be one of the easiest and most rewarding semi-natural habitats to recreate and, by applying simple principles to their design and location, most ponds can quickly develop into useful wildlife habitats. Important principles for pond creation are: (i) Locate new ponds in areas where they are at least risk from pollution, (ii) Where possible, key new ponds into existing wetland areas (streams, fens, ditches, etc.), (iii) Above all, design ponds with natural wetlands in mind: create pond mosaics and wetland complexes rather than single isolated waterbodies, (iv) To maximise species diversity, very the main factors influencing community type at any pond site (e.g. depth, permanence, size), (iv) Expect development to take time – pond creation is often best considered as at least a two-phase process, (vi) Ensure that some effort is allotted to pond management during early colonising stages.