Nature reserve signage for South Pond, South Downs National Park
Table of contents
Introduction
I’m really pleased to share one of my latest projects: designing four illustrated interpretation boards for South Pond in Midhurst, created for the South Downs National Park Authority.
This project focused on creating engaging, accessible nature reserve signage that helps visitors understand the site, its habitats, and the wildlife found there, using illustration rather than traditional photography.
About the South Pond
South Pond sits at the heart of Midhurst in West Sussex, within the South Downs National Park, and has a history as old as the town itself. Fed by two streams that once marked the boundaries of Saxon settlements, the pond was originally created in mediaeval times when a local lord dammed the water to form a fish-breeding pool for the household. Over time, the pond suffered from neglect and a build-up of silt, leading to flooding and a decline in wildlife.
In response, local residents formed the South Pond Group and working in partnership with the South Downs National Park Authority and other organisations, led a major restoration project to revive the pond. Silt was carefully redistributed to reshape the pond’s edges; new reed and sedge beds were created, and native marginal plants such as yellow iris and purple loosestrife were introduced to improve water quality and provide habitat for invertebrates, amphibians, fish, and birds. Through this community-led work, South Pond has been transformed into a thriving wildlife haven and a much-loved green space in the centre of the town. Now it is a happy and thriving habitat again; it was time to share with visitors this wonderful history and wildlife that are calling it home. That's where I came in.
How this nature reserve signage project began
This project started when the Interpretation Officer for the South Downs National Park Authority came across my work on Instagram and got in touch. They were working alongside the South Pond Volunteer Group in Midhurst, West Sussex, to update and refresh the existing nature reserve signage at the pond.
From the start, the aim was to create nature reserve signage that felt welcoming and engaging, with an illustrative approach that would appeal to a wide range of visitors while still clearly communicating important information about the site.
It is always exciting when clients reach out to me, saying they have seen my work and want to work with me. It is even more magical when it is big-named clients like the South Downs National Park!
The brief: designing nature reserve signage
The original brief was to design three interpretation panels – two A1 boards and one A0 board – which later developed into four nature reserve signage boards in total.
The boards were designed to be installed on new lectern structures at South Pond. A separate specialist company handled printing and manufacturing, whilst I was responsible for the illustration, layout, and overall visual design of the signage, working with supplied text and branding.
A key consideration throughout was making sure the signage was easy to read and visually engaging from both a distance and up close. Obviously alongside lots of wildlife illustrations.
As always, I start my projects by sitting down with all the information and trying to get my head around the brief, which honestly takes some time. I put all the provided text and graphics onto a page so I can see what I am working with before screenshotting it and sending it over to my iPad to play around with the composition of the drawing. This proof stage is super messy but really helps the clients see what direction we are going in so they can make any changes before I spend too long drawing.
Map-based nature reserve signage
The nature reserve signage needed to work as a collective whilst being in different locations. Two of the boards were the same map design but with different location markers depending where they were placed. These boards are to help visitors see where they are and plan routes around the South Pond and surrounding area.
Each of these location boards features an illustrated map showing key locations and access points around the pond. This board also has lots more information about the nature reserve and history, so in order to make the maps more engaging, I surrounded them with illustrations of wildlife found at South Pond, allowing visitors to immediately connect the place with the species that live there.
Unlike the other boards, there was far less space to work with. The text was a key aspect of this board, so mocking up the map around this was a priority, and then after I could see what space we had to add in some wildlife. My initial proof was very plain, as we decided I could use wildlife illustrations off the other boards so they could all connect to each other.
The Final Map Board Design
In the final design I added a light textured background to support the large amount of text we had on this board and keep it from looking empty or plain. I drew the map based on the survey map the client supplied to make it as accurate as possible, with tiny little ducks and herons hidden in there to add some life.
I surrounded the map with my favourite colourful fauna and flora illustrations from the other nature reserve signage. I like to think it is a little insight into what is within the reserve if you just explore it.
Habitat-based nature reserve signage
The remaining two boards take a habitat-led approach, focusing on the wildlife and ecosystems that make South Pond special. This is my favourite kind of nature reserve signage to design, as I can go crazy with creativity.
Ancient woodland wildlife signage
One board explores the ancient woodland habitat surrounding the pond. The main illustration shows a layered woodland scene, designed to give a sense of depth and atmosphere.
On this illustrated scene are individual species drawings, including birds, bees, and botanical illustrations of various plants and flowers. As we had so many species to add into a small space, I took creative liberties to place species close together and in disproportionate sizes so they can be easily seen on the boards.
The intention for this nature reserve signage is to connect the public with the habitat; lots of people are unaware of how many amazing species we have in the UK. The boards can help visitors identify species they may spot throughout the year and encourage closer observation of the woodland.
Using photographs of the woodland at the nature reserve, I replicated the unique tree shapes to make the boards feel really personal to the habitat.
There were so many species of fauna and flora to include, mostly at the ground level, so I densely packed plants next to each other with species closely interacting or added gaps in the trees.
To aid with identifying species we added the common names next to every illustration.
The Final Woodland Board Design
Not to toot my own horn, but I love how the woodland nature reserve signage turned out!
It really was crammed full of wildlife, and I love the little pops of colourful flowers and animals jumping out of the scene. We dialled back the vibrancy of the woodland leaves to really amplify this and used the white branding instead.
Pond wildlife signage: above and below the surface
The final nature reserve signage focuses on pond biodiversity, illustrated as a cross-section showing life both above and below the water’s surface.
Each habitat board initial brief was to include six to eight species illustrations, selected to represent the wildlife found at South Pond and support the accompanying interpretation text. This board was designed to be full of birds that live and feed on the pond as well as insects and amphibians and fish beneath the surface.
Final South Pond Signage
I love this format, as it makes it possible to show how interconnected the pond ecosystem is and shows underwater species that everyday exploring of the pond does not show.
Birds are my favourite animal to draw, so this was really fun, and I can see real growth from my first nature reserve board, where I did a split pond scene.
Nature reserve signage in place
The new nature reserve signage will be printed and installed at South Pond later this year, and I’m really looking forward to going to see them in person in the landscape they were designed for. Maybe even spotting some of the wildlife I drew.
Projects like this show how well-designed nature reserve signage can help people connect more deeply with wildlife, habitats, and local history.
My thanks to the South Downs National Park Authority and the South Pond Volunteer Group for such a fun collaborative project that let me really take the lead with my creativity.
If you’re looking for an illustrator who designs nature reserve signage for parks, reserves, and outdoor public spaces, feel free to get in touch; I’d love to hear about your project.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the three interpretation panels that Ferne produced for South Pond. We wanted something visually engaging that would stand out from the average panel and Ferne’s beautiful, detailed illustrations have definitely delivered on that. She was great to work with; very patient and responsive to feedback and requests. The panels are full of interesting details that bring the story of South Pond to vibrant life. Thank you, Ferne!”
This project is a good example of the kind of nature illustration commissions I work on. I enjoy collaborating with organisations, local authorities, and volunteer groups to create illustration-led projects. My commission work is not limited to signage, with past work for magazine editorial spreads, charity pins, maps and more. If you’re looking for an illustration that helps people understand and connect with nature, I’d love to hear about your project.
The Author: Ferne Glannan-MacRae
Ferne Glannan-MacRae is a wildlife illustrator and designer with a passion for British wildlife and conservation. She creates intricate digital artwork on her iPad, capturing the beauty and diversity of the natural world. Before going freelance in 2022, Ferne honed her skills during six years in the print industry as a designer. With a background in wildlife photography, her work is deeply rooted in a love for nature and a commitment to raising awareness for wildlife on our doorstep.
