In a delightful turn of events, Oldham Council and its esteemed partners have secured a generous £1.2 million grant from the Species Survival Fund for a project in the charming Medlock Valley. Teaming up with Groundwork Greater Manchester, TCV, Canal & Rivers Trust, City of Trees, and Mersey Rivers Trust, in collaboration with Manchester City Council and Tameside Council, the project aims to enhance habitats across seven sites in the Medlock Valley, spanning nearly 30 hectares.
The project’s primary objective is to combat the decline in species abundance by preserving and restoring crucial habitats. Various habitat improvements are on the agenda, including restoration work on the Aston and Rochdale canal network, naturalising the riverbank at Lees Brook Nature Park, grassland and wetland restoration, active woodland management, control of Invasive Non-Native Species, and planting around 5,000 trees and understory vegetation.
These revitalised habitats will provide a haven for a variety of species, such as water voles, waxcap mushrooms, and the majestic Great Crested Newt. Community events and activities will be organised by the project partners to engage local residents with nature, with a focus on those who are unemployed or experiencing health challenges.
The project will also generate six new green job opportunities and offer training programmes to enhance the skills of the workforce, enabling them to better address the climate crisis. Councillor Chris Goodwin, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, expressed his delight at the funding, highlighting its positive impact on the environment and wildlife in Oldham.
Ginny Hinton, Deputy Director of the Cheshire to Lancashire Area Team at Natural England, commended the Species Survival project in the Medlock Valley, describing it as a pioneering initiative to reintroduce nature into urban landscapes.
