Creating a bright future for Greater Manchester’s woodland and hedgerows

Thanks to £350,000 funding from Manchester Airport Group a new 10 year project is working to restore, enhance and revive areas of woodland and hedgerows across the city region.

Here at The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside we own over 40 nature reserves, land that we ensure is prioritised and safeguarded for nature. But geographically these are a mere drop in the ocean when we look at all the land in our area that could be transformed into thriving havens for wildlife and people alike. That’s why, along with our nature reserves, we work with numerous other landowners to help ensure that nature is given the best possible chance in our region.

Whether we are working local councils to help manage parks and other public green spaces, or with private landowners, the goal is always the same. Make spaces for nature bigger, better and more joined up – and work towards our target of 30 per cent of land and sea being prioritised for nature by 2030.

This is why we are excited to start a project working with Manchester Airport Group to restore, enhance and revive areas of woodland and hedgerows on land owned by ourselves, Manchester City Council and Manchester Airport Group themselves.

With two focus habitats and two phases of work over an amazing ten years being funded, this project is designed to help support nature to thrive long-term.

What work will be happening?

Phase one will include two years of intensive habitat enhancement activities with a focus on hedgerows and woodlands – two of our most important habitats. Phase two will provide another eight years of ongoing maintenance, monitoring and ecological surveying to ensure that the hard work of phase one is not lost and that nature continues to thrive.

Large green laurel bushes overtaking trees at Gib Lane Woods

Woodlands:

Six woodlands along the M56/Baguley Brook corridor (Sunbank Woods, Nan Nook Woods, Gib Lane Woods, Fir Coppice, Blackcarr Woods & Cotteril Clough) will be rejuvenated. These include some precious areas of ancient woodland.

Specific activities will include invasive non-native species (such as rhododendron) removal, managing the woodland understory to support native woodland species, and tree veteranisation work which will help to create a more varied habitat within the woodland to support a wider variety of wildlife.

Hedgerows

1km of hedgerows will be restored at Cutacre nature reserve near Tyldesley, and on identified areas of Manchester Airport Group land. This will include the traditional art of hedgelaying, along with new hedgerow planting.

People power

We know that people engaging with nature can have a hugely beneficial effect on people’s wellbeing, and we also know that without the support of our amazing volunteer's nature would be in a much worse state than it is. That is why people will be an important part of this project too.

There will be opportunities for both members of the local community and Manchester Airport Group staff to get involved in some hands-on conservation activities, and excitingly we will be hosting two hedgelaying competitions, bringing the hedgelaying community from across the county together to learn and compete in laying the hedges which creates a perfect habitat for a variety of wildlife, including the rare grey partridge.

Creating a bright future

What really makes this project stand out is its longevity. Too many conservation projects last just a year or two, and whilst this enables vital initial work to be undertaken, once the project ends often that hard work can be left uncared for, or at worst the work could even eventually be undone. However, the Manchester Airport Group woodland and hedgerow revival project will continue past this first phase with a further eight years of maintenance and monitoring work. This will allow our conservation staff and volunteers to ensure that the good work is built upon, and real long-lasting changes take effect.

Meet the people making this project happen

Rory Andrews, Business Development Manager at The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, said: “We are really excited to be working with Manchester Airport Group to make a real and long-term difference for nature and people right here in our local area. Securing funding from partners such as Manchester Airport Group opens up new opportunities for us to do what we do best, supporting and improving habitats for nature. This project will mean that vital greenspaces across our area will get the boost they need, and the longevity of the project means that this impact will be secured for the future.”

Martin Churley, Group Head of Environment at Manchester Airport Group said: “I’m incredibly passionate about this project because it represents doing the right thing for both nature and the communities we serve. Through long‑term investment and strong partnerships with The Wildlife Trust, we have a real opportunity to restore and protect some of Greater Manchester’s most precious woodlands and hedgerows. For me, it’s about safeguarding irreplaceable habitats, creating opportunities for people to connect with their local environment, and leaving a positive, lasting legacy that we can be proud of.”

Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council, said: “This funding will help us to protect and revive these crucial habitats that act as wildlife corridors across Greater Manchester. Hedgerows and woodland have disappeared from many areas of the UK. Those that remain connect green spaces – from parks and nature reserves to open fields and residential areas. The funding will support the project for ten years – allowing people and nature to create lasting change. With opportunities for local communities to get out in nature and learn traditional hedgelaying crafts.”