Youngsters launch Wildabout Manchester 2008

Wildabout Manchester, a campaign to improve the city's biodiversity, has been launched and this year it's going to be bigger and better than ever!

The Manchester Community Crew, a group of young Mancunians aged nine to eleven who are committed to improving their local environment, launched the campaign with a nest-box building event at the Saviours Church of England School in Cheetham Hill, to encourage nesting songbirds in their local parks.

As part of the 100 days campaign run by Manchester City Council, over 60 nature conservation projects will take place over the next few weeks.

Ponds will be dug, trees planted, wildflower seeds sown and nest-boxes made - fantastic news for the city's birds, bats, bugs and beasties!

Councillor Eddy Newman, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services said: "Wildabout Manchester is an inspirational campaign that helps to improve our local biodiversity, and I am delighted that the young people in the Community Crew are taking the lead as an example to us all."

The Wildabout Manchester campaign is part of the council's 100 days to a cleaner, greener city calendar of events, running from 14 Feb to 24 May.

Wildabout Manchester inspires the people of Manchester to become more responsible towards their local environment. It was developed with support from partners, stakeholders and community groups from all over the city.

Wildabout 2008 has an activity-filled calendar of events across the city. If you want to give Manchester's wildlife a helping hand, please get in touch with your ideas. For more information visit http://www.wildaboutmanchester.info/

or http://www.challengemanchester.co.uk/

Alternatively, telephone the campaigns team on 0161 234 1869.

The campaign will run until 24 May 2008, featuring 100 days of intense activity all over Manchester with the first 50 days focussing on green issues - primarily waste minimisation, recycling and climate change - and the next 50 days focussing on community clean-ups, local environmental improvements and planting schemes.

The council will also be asking residents and businesses about what they want the council to do to help them minimise waste and recycle more.

Challenge Manchester began in 2004 with "Challenge Manchester: 100 Days to a Clean City", and in its fifth successful year the campaign returns to its core aim to "clean up" the city.

More information about Challenge Manchester and how you can participate appears on our website http://www.challengemanchester.co.uk/

You can also e-mail campaigns.team@notes.manchester.gov.uk

or telephone 0161 954 9000.

Media contact:

Conrad Astley, tel 0161 234 4045