A NEW wetland and outdoor classroom is being created at Sewborwens Farm, Newton Rigg College, Penrith, thanks to funding from the European Union.

The project, a partnership between Eden Rivers Trust and Newton Rigg College, will show first-hand how farmland wetlands and ponds can help to improve wildlife, flood storage and water quality within the farmed landscape.

An array of new habitats will be created and restored including ponds, ditches, species rich grassland, wet woodland, and reed beds and it is hoped the new site will soon be teeming with wildlife, rich in insects, animals and birds.

The wetland will provide opportunities for students, apprentices and local volunteers to get involved creating, managing and surveying the new habitats.

A wooden classroom, composting toilet and pond dipping platform are also planned.

The wetland will be fed by a small stream which drains the surrounding farmland and by rainwater collected from roofs at the college’s new dairy unit.

Will Cleasby, Senior Farming and Rivers Specialist at Eden Rivers Trust, said: “The new wetland provides a great opportunity to demonstrate how modern dairy farming can work with conservation to provide a number of benefits from flood storage to habitat restoration."