Urban cowslips by Tom Hibbert
North Manchester Nature Network
What is the North Manchester Nature Network?
This biodiversity project delivered a neighbourhood nature network that increased wild species numbers whilst connecting local people to wild plants and animals.
This was in direct response to a consultation undertaken by the Trust which evidenced that 61% of 2100 people ‘[wanted] to be part of a bigger movement to help Manchester’s wildlife’.
The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside and Manchester City Council worked alongside other partners on the project to help safeguard existing sites and encourage new wildlife into the city along green corridors.
What did the project focus on?
The North Manchester Nature Network project (part of the My Wild City team) focused on a strip of four Sites of Biological Importance (SBIs) where nature thrives.
Bailey’s Wood, Boggart Hole Clough, Broadhurst Clough and Moston Fairway are all within walking distance of thousands of local people. These sites are much loved and are incredibly important for city wildlife such as owls, frogs and butterflies.
The project also helped people attract this wildlife into their gardens, parks, school grounds and community spaces.
To find out how residents of a town or city can help create a nature network, check out the map leaflet:
“Sadly, we live in one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.
“We are delighted that the funding from the Cadent Foundation will enable the Wildlife Trust to expand its vital work alongside communities to reverse the decline of nature.”The Cadent Foundation
Emma Sharples
The Value of Nature
Tackling poor mental health is also a big part of the Nature Network project.
Even before the pandemic, nature was increasingly recognised as an amazing tool that could be used to reduce stress, depression and anxiety.
The importance of the sound of bird song, the smell of wild flowers and the sight of brilliant butterflies in our urban areas has been noticed now more than ever.
iNaturalist is a website and mobile app that helps anyone identify and record wildlife. This project is using iNaturalist to map existing nature in the North Manchester Nature Network to see where the gaps in knowledge are and what management can be done in the network to help nature recover.
How to record local wildlife
Everyone can help conservation by recording your neighbourhood nature. This project uses iNaturalist, which can be accessed by anyone on computers, laptops or smart phones.
Our Funder
'The Cadent Foundation is funded by local gas network Cadent, and has been established to support projects large and small that help people living in vulnerable situations and energy poor communities; protect and preserve the natural environment and support in creating a sustainable energy future for all.'
