The project has had a huge impact on the local community and is building deep connections, particularly between children and young people and the natural world on their doorstep, we hope they feel more empowered to take ownership of this valuable natural asset, and the wildlife within it, to secure its future longevity and resilience.” – Lou Smith, Urban Nature Programme Manager at Groundwork Greater Manchester.
Location
Address
Clayton Vale Local Nature Reserve, Medlock Valley
Value/Worth
£1.2 Million over three districts
Background
The Medlock Valley from Manchester City Centre to Saddleworth Moor is on the doorsteps of 1 million people, many of whom live in the most deprived communities in Greater Manchester. Despite its urban setting, the Medlock Valley has significant potential to halt the decline in species abundance linked to its variety of habitats, excellent connectivity from City Centre to upland moorlands and significant public body ownership of land within the network. Ongoing pressures continue this decline including: fragmentation as a result of development and land use change, reduction in active conservation management, intensification of agricultural practice, changes in water quality and proliferation of Invasive Non Native Species.
Projects
The Medlock Valley Restoration Project was a major initiative aimed at restoring and protecting habitats along the River Medlock in Greater Manchester. Supported by a £1.2 million Species Survival Fund grant, the project brought together Groundwork Greater Manchester and partners including The Conservation Volunteers, City of Trees, Mersey Rivers Trust, and Canal & Rivers Trust, working with Manchester, Oldham, and Tameside councils. Over the course of the project, over 30 hectares of woodland, grassland, and riparian habitats were enhanced, supporting local wildlife such as bats, newts and butterflies to recover and thrive.
In addition to habitat restoration, the project engaged local communities through volunteering, school activities, and family events, providing opportunities to develop green skills and practical conservation expertise. By connecting people with nature, the initiative fostered awareness, appreciation, and long-term stewardship of the Valley’s landscapes and wildlife, leaving a lasting impact on both biodiversity and the local community.Outcomes
The Medlock Valley Species Survival team delivered habitat restoration, invasive species management, and community engagement across key Manchester sites, including Bank Bridge Meadow, Clayton Vale, and Millstream Open Space. Volunteers removed encroaching Dogwood and bramble, while Trainee Rangers restored overgrown areas and gained practical skills. Riverbank protection along the Medlock used stone, fallen trees, and reshaping to prevent erosion, and grassland and pond restoration in Clayton Vale supported butterflies, waxcaps, newts, bats, and other wildlife. Species monitoring workshops generated valuable ecological data and engaged the local community.
- 105 trees planted
- 2 ha grassland improved
- 2633m2 wetlands improved
- 5.8 Ha woodlands restored
- 2.95 Ha INNS managed
- 179 events run with 2171 attendees
- 7454 hours of volunteer time into site
- 1 mural painted round the entirety of the Tuck Shop
Regular volunteering events and educational opportunities are crucial to engage volunteers and foster a sense of ownership and stewardship. Long-term projects and programmes will be vital for the maintenance of habitats, improvement of diversity and appreciation from local community.
Future
A further £15,000 project called Wild about Clayton Vale has been approved and will offer a stopgap of community engagement and upskilling opportunities until August 2026. More funding opportunities will need to be identified to maintain the relationships with the community and ensure their ongoing commitment to taking care of Clayton Vale and surrounding sites.
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