Woodland gains wildlife protection

A stretch of Manchester woodland teeming with wildlife has been given special status to help protect it.

Princes Spinney, off Royal Oak Road in Wythenshawe, contains a mosaic of habitats, including mature broadleaf woodland, scrub and marshy areas, which provide a good environment for birds, invertebrates and fungi.

Now the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit has designated Princes Spinney as a Site of Biological Importance (SBI).

That means it is one of the most important sites for biodiversity in Greater Manchester. SBI status provides a means of protecting areas that are of local interest and importance.

Councillor Eddy Newman, Executive member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "One of the key actions in the Manchester Biodiversity Strategy is to protect the city's wildlife for current and future generations. This award is only the second in Manchester in the past five years so is welcome news."

The designation reflects the hard work that the local community, Manchester City Council and Red Rose Forest have put into the site.

The spinney is now managed, with regular clean-ups and habitat management. Last year, a group of university student volunteers also created a pond in the woodland.

Tex Barlow, a community representative, said: "The Royal Oak Community Action Group has been working in the spinney to create a space that strikes a balance between the needs of its wildlife and the local community.

"We are very proud that the work we have undertaken has helped the Spinney to acquire its SBI status."

The new status comes as Manchester City Council announces it has planted 2,250 trees as part of its 100 Days campaign to create a cleaner, greener city.

More than 60 nature conservation projects are also taking place over the next few weeks as part of the campaign. Volunteers will dig ponds, sow wildflower seeds and make nest-boxes.

Manchester City Council launched Challenge Manchester - 100 Days to a cleaner, greener city 2008 on February 14 2008 at Manchester Town Hall.

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 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 4027