Steve Backshall, Championing Nature Ambassador said: “It was fantastic to see the Championing Nature programme in action and to meet with the local community groups involved. During the surveying, we were able to identify thriving species in the pond and it was great to see so many young people clearly enthused and inspired by the nature around them.”

Championing Nature is an exciting multi-year programme made possible by Wimbledon and Emirates, delivered in collaboration with The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside and three additional urban Wildlife Trusts in Birmingham, London and Newcastle. The programme aims to engage local children, young people and families with the amazing urban nature on their doorstep and inspire them to take action to boost both their local environment and their wellbeing.

Steve’s visit to Whythenshawe was part of the Spring Heartbeat Moment event, a series of seasonal celebrations of the nature and people that make Whythenshawe so special. It also tied in with the City Nature Challenge, a global citizen science phenomenon that sees people worldwide undertaking urban nature surveys. 

Young people from local community organisations including the British Muslim Heritage Council Scout Group, Nacro Outdoor Learning, and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group were invited to survey with Steve, teaching them the importance of urban nature in day-to-day life, how to take action to protect and restore nature.

The young people were particularly excited for pond dipping and identifying species such as newts and freshwater shrimp in the grounds of Wythenshawe Hall, submitting their results into the app iNaturalist, which collates worldwide species records.

Shakila Ellahi, Group Lead Volunteer from British Muslim Heritage Council Scout Group said: “Inner‑city young people from ethnic minorities often have limited access to safe green spaces and fewer chances to explore the outdoors. Championing Nature closes this ‘nature gap’ by giving them adventure, confidence, and a sense of belonging in natural spaces where they may not usually see themselves represented.”

Beth Craigen, Outdoor Youth Worker for Nacro Greater Manchester Outdoor Learning said "Nacro Outdoor Learning is proud to be a part of the Championing Nature activities with the Wildlife Trust in Wythenshawe. Our young people have been involved in collaborative conservation work and fantastic nature surveying activities and our volunteers and staff have received accredited training as well as practical learning opportunities. It is great to see nature and our local community being invested in and we love working closely with the Wildlife Trust team to support the work."  

Ulrika Högberg, Head of Community Strategy at The All England Lawn Tennis Club said: “It’s just under a year since the programme first launched and it’s been incredible to witness the positive impact that Championing Nature is having in Whythenshawe already. It was particularly encouraging at the Spring Heartbeat event to see the young people’s keenness to explore everything that nature offers, which was evident in their conversations with Steve Backshall, and the joy it brings being in nature and the outdoors” 

Jenni Lea, Community Engagement Manager for Championing Nature said: “It’s been wonderfully inspiring having Steve Backshall join us for our Spring Heartbeat moment. Seeing the energy and eagerness of the children and young people here today, who really want to make a difference improving their local area for nature demonstrates why programmes like Championing Nature are so vital.”