06:00, 27 May 2026
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
A decade-long mission to breathe life back into Greater Manchester’s disappearing woodlands and hedgerows is now under way, and it could transform some of the region’s most precious green spaces for generations to come.
Backed by £350,000 from Manchester Airport Group, the ambitious project will see ancient woodland restored, neglected hedgerows revived and local communities invited to play a hands-on role in protecting the region’s natural heritage.
Across Greater Manchester, tree canopy currently covers around 16 per cent of the landscape. Yet many of these woodlands are in poor condition, weakened by neglect and invasive species. Hedgerows have suffered an even steeper decline, with half of the UK’s hedgerows lost since the 1950s and many of those remaining now struggling to survive.
Now, conservationists hope to reverse that trend.
Delivered by The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, the ten-year programme will focus on six woodland sites along the M56 and Baguley Brook corridor in south Manchester, including Sunbank Woods, Nan Nook Woods and Cotteril Clough. Some areas qualify as ancient woodland — meaning they have existed continuously since at least 1600, dating back to the reign of Elizabeth I and the era of Shakespeare.
Rory Andrews, Business Development Manager at The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, said: “Securing funding from partners such as Manchester Airport Group opens up new opportunities for us to do what we do best, supporting and improving habitats for nature. This project will mean that vital greenspaces across our area will get the boost they need, and the longevity of the project means that this impact will be secured for the future.”
These rare habitats are increasingly threatened by invasive non-native plants which smother native species and block sunlight from reaching the woodland floor. The whole aim of the project is to create healthier ecosystems where wildlife can flourish once again.
The work will also extend to Cutacre Nature Reserve, where more than a kilometre of hedgerow will be restored using traditional hedgelaying techniques alongside new planting schemes designed to create vital wildlife corridors.
The first two years of the project will focus on intensive restoration work, followed by eight years of maintenance and monitoring to ensure the habitats continue to recover and thrive. Volunteering opportunities will also give residents and staff from Manchester Airport Group the chance to reconnect with nature while learning traditional countryside skills.
For campaigners and conservationists alike, the project represents more than environmental restoration. It is about preserving living pieces of history, strengthening biodiversity and ensuring that nature remains woven into the fabric of Greater Manchester’s future.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
The Wildlife Trust. This is one of the regional sections of The Wildlife Trusts which supports wildlife and wild places on land and at sea, for locals and visitors alike. Learn more here.
Plantlife. A charity dedicated to saving wild flowers, plants, and fungi across Britain's meadows, woodlands, and roadsides. Discover their work here.
The Nature Consultancy. This is the largest environmental organisation in the US. Their core mission is the direct acquisition and permanent protection of ecologically important lands and waters to preserve biodiversity. Find out more here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Life On Land.
Photo credits: Stephen Cartwright and Laura Hacking Vile
