Over 70 per cent of the borough of Wigan is designated as green space, much of it created when old subsided coal mines were flooded. This created a mosaic of wetland habitats, many home to specialised habitats and wonderful wildlife. Where industry once flourished, now nature is taking centre stage again.

Now partners including Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Wigan Council, Forestry England and Natural England are working together to develop a 20 year Landscape Recovery Scheme, the aim being to support this amazing natural development, and join up disconnected greenspaces to make a thriving home for wildlife, right on people’s doorsteps.

The Wigan Greenheart Landscape Recovery Scheme:

• Covers 1,400 hectares of wetland, woodland and grassland habitats
• 5 per cent of the UK’s endangered willow tits call Wigan home
• A new short film has been created to help tell people about the wonders of Wigan’s Greenheart

Tony Da Silva, Wigan Greenheart Project Manager at Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: “Wigan Borough is an amazing place. Where once we relied on the landscape to fuel the Industrial Revolution, we now need that same landscape to help support our fight against the dual climate and nature crises, all whilst providing a vital greenspace for local people to enjoy, improving their health and wellbeing. We are developing a Landscape Recovery Scheme to help support this beating Greenheart of Wigan to do all of these things, and now we need to let people know, and ask for their support.”

Councillor Chris Ready, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities at Wigan Council, said: “Over the last half a century our post-industrial landscape has been transformed, restoring habitats and nature. Nearly two-thirds of our borough is greenspace and we are intensely proud of our Greenheart across Wigan Borough, for residents and visitors to enjoy and havens for wildlife.

“Working alongside local and national partners, the Landscape Recovery Scheme focuses on protecting and enhancing more than 1,400 hectares of our natural landscape, with Greater Manchester’s first National Nature Reserve- the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh- at the heart.

“This weekend’s Flashes Festival of Nature is sure to be a great day, and a real celebration of the amazing places we have right on our doorstep - so be sure to come down to Pennington Flash and get involved.”

Richard Topley, Operation Manager at Forestry England, commented: “Forestry England are excited to be involved in the Wigan Greenheart landscape recovery project. We believe that working together and managing things well is key to making sure the woods and green areas in Wigan Borough stay healthy and flourish for years to come. We hope this project can become a successful model for how Wigan Borough's landscape can be in the future, benefiting both nature and the people who live here.”

In total there are 43 existing green spaces involved in the Landscape Recovery Scheme, including the whole of the Flashes of Wigan & Leigh National Nature Reserve. The aim will be for these to be rejuvenated and restored where necessary, with well-functioning habitats enabling the expansion of target species populations across the borough.

Ginny Hinton, Deputy Director for Natural England leading the Cheshire to Lancashire Team, said:  “Green spaces have such an important role to play in our urban and rural environments for improving nature, health and wellbeing as well as climate resilience. They can help to support economic growth and address issues such as social inequality and pollution. Restoring healthy natural ecosystems is essential to support human life - the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe. If we look after nature, nature looks after us and that is what the beating Greenheart of Wigan demonstrates in an emotive and powerful performance.”

Numerous events have been held over the past 18 months, gathering the thoughts and opinions of the local community, all of which are being fed into the development stage of the Wigan Greenheart Landscape Recovery Scheme, funded by Defra. Delivery of planned activity will create opportunities for people to enjoy and engage with this amazing place, whilst also supporting the wildlife that calls it home.

Find out more about the Wigan Greenheart Landscape Recovery Scheme