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Historic peatlands at the heart of the industrial revolution become new National Nature Reserve

Network of 11 nature abundant lowland peat sites in between Liverpool and Manchester became a King’s Series National Nature Reserve at the official launch on Monday 14th July.

Ten thousand years in the making and launched this week, the new Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve will provide a destination for the people of Warrington and Greater Manchester to access nature-rich landscapes.   The newest addition under the King’s Series, this network of 11 sites from lowland raised bogs and fen, through to lowland heath, wet woodland and drier woodland habitats will be restored to provide homes for rare species, such as lapwings, curlew, sundew and adders.  

After being at the centre of the industrial revolution, this area is becoming a leading example of nature recovery, through the restoration of some of our most important and precious habitats.

A flag being raised by a wooden building in a woodland

Raising of the National Nature Reserve flag - Kirsty Tyler

These internationally important lowland peat habitats, which are over an area the size of 750 professional rugby pitches or 25 Trafford Centres, are being restored. This will help mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect the security and prosperity of communities in Warrington and Greater Manchester.

This is the 10th reserve to be launched as part of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves, which will leave a lasting public legacy for people and nature with 25 new National Nature Reserves by 2027. 

Senior Conservation Officer Martyn Walker with the National Nature Reserve plaque

Senior Conservation Officer Martyn Walker with the National Nature Reserve plaque - Kirsty Tyler

The new reserve, within the Great Manchester Wetlands, sits between the National Nature Reserves of Rostherne Mere to the south, the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh to the north, and links to the Bollin to Mersey Nature Recovery Project, creating a recovering network of wetland and woodland across the region.  

The new reserve will be managed by Natural England, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Forestry England, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, Warrington Borough Council, Wigan Council and Woodland Trust.  

This collaboration will enable the seven partners to join under one common purpose to enhance nature’s recovery, enhance climate resilience and Net Zero efforts providing vital wild greenspace, creating a network of bigger, better, joined-up wildlife-rich places.  

The National Nature Reserve includes 4 of Lancashire Wildlife Trust's lowland peat reserves - Cadishead and Little Woolden Moss, Astley Moss, Rindle Moss and Highfield Moss.

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