The Wet Willow Wildlife project is working across Greater Manchester and the Mersey Gateway areas to make a real difference for wildlife by enhancing precious wet willow habitats. Not only will this be a boon for the rare willow tit and countless other species that rely on these habitats, but we are also working with local communities to engage people with nature and the benefits it brings.

A series of events with local primary schools has been a fantastic way to inspire young minds about the wonders of nature and to show them how they can make a difference both at school and at home.

A recent session was held on a sunny afternoon at Bolton Parish Church of England Primary School, with members of the school’s fantastic Eco Club, and supported by Bolton Council’s Five Ways to Happy Days programme.

A lovely group of ten members of the school’s Eco Club had a wonderful afternoon taking part in a nature walk around the school grounds, a bug hunt and tree ID session and culminating in building a magnificent bug hotel, all decorated with their own clay insects.

The aim of these sessions is to share information about the Wet Willow Wildlife project whilst also inspiring young minds about the wonders of nature and how spending time outdoors or immersing yourself in nature can be hugely beneficial for health and wellbeing. And that’s where the link with Bolton Council comes in.

Wet Willow Wildlife is our Species Survival Fund project enhancing wet willow habitats at landscape scale to support a multitude of species, including the wonderful willow tit, bees, moths, amphibians, mammals, plants, birds and more.