Volunteers planting trees at the Ardwick Stepping Stones project

Get inspired


Get involved in nature recovery

Everyone can play a part in delivering local nature recovery. We want our plan for nature to inspire everyone across Greater Manchester to take action to help nature’s recovery.

Even the smallest actions – at home and in our local communities – can add up to make a big difference and make space for nature in every community. Larger initiatives can also have a transformational impact, providing space at a landscape scale for nature to recover.

What we can all do will vary – we all have different ways we can support the implementation of the strategy and in what capacity we can do so.

Farmers, Landowners and Land Managers

Those who own and/or manage land in Greater Manchester can make a significant contribution to implementing the strategy, particularly those responsible for agricultural land (32%), amenity spaces (19%) and transport infrastructure, like roads and railways (13%).

If you are a farmer, landowner or land manager please read our introductory leaflet, which focuses on how those with a responsibility for land can help shape the strategy and play their part in nature recovery across the city-region.

Local Communities and Residents

From community groups and charities to businesses and schools, we believe that everyone has a role to play in helping nature recovery across Greater Manchester. We’ll be shining a spotlight on the passionate individuals who are already leading the way – our Local Nature Champions. Click the links below for inspiration and ideas as to how you can get more involved in nature recovery!

Our Local Nature Champions

Debbie Wallace, Urban Ranger

Debbie leads several innovative nature recovery projects in Chorlton, focused on turning road-side green spaces from mown grass to biodiverse pocket-sized nature spaces. Her amazing work not is not only improving spaces for nature but is also seeking to engage and inspire the local community, demonstrating the potential for communal greenspaces in estates that need them most. Read more about Debbie here.

Jason Williams, The Cloud Gardener

Jason aims to inspire a new generation of urban gardeners. He uses a vibrant social media presence to highlight his brilliant work with container gardening, demonstrating how urban residents can maximise their unique growing areas like balcony garden, alleyways and other quirky spaces, alongside championing the benefits to urban wildlife, biodiversity and mental health. Read more about Jason here.

Kieron McGlasson, Sow The City

Kieron is Director at Sow The City, alongside working as an advisor for community groups looking to apply for Green Spaces Fund support. Read more about Kieron here.

Av Gurwicz, City of Trees

Av is an Urban Forestry Assistant at City of Trees, helping tackle the climate emergency head on through planting trees and restoring woodlands for the people and wildlife of Greater Manchester. Read more about Av here.

Louise Bentley, Bolton and Bury Swifts

Louise is passionate about saving the nest sites of Swifts and House Martins, migratory birds that nest on buildings rather than trees. Read more about Louise here.

Daniell Musaheb, co-founder at Ardwick Climate Action

Ardwick Climate Action’s mission is to protect our local environment through grassroots advocacy that engages the local community. We spoke with their co-founder Daniell Musaheb about his motivations for getting involved in nature recovery. Read more about Dan here.

Dan Musaheb, Ardwick Climate Action

Susan Faulkner, Farmer at Woodside Farm, Rochdale

Farmers are playing an increasingly important role in nature conservation, so we spoke with Susan about her approach to managing her land to benefit both her farm and nature recovery. Read more about Susan here.

 

Claire Biggs, Director and Project Manager at SNUG

The SNUG project is an urban greening project based in the Northmoor area of Longsight, which looks at improving green spaces in the local area. Read more about Claire here. 

 

Melanie Donovan, volunteer gardener and garden designer

Melanie's garden designs demonstrate how a small border can be created to benefit local wildlife and our health and wellbeing. Read more about Melanie here. 

 

Crompton Moor Nature Recovery Project

We spoke to volunteers at Crompton Moor Nature Recovery Project in Shaw, Oldham to learn more about the brilliant work already underway there to help nature recover. Read the article here. 

Michelle Gondo, green community project coordinator

Michelle is Project Coordinator at Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, who received Green Spaces Fund backing in 2023. Read our interview with Michelle here. 

 

Dave Steel, Wildlife Recorder

Dave is a Wildlife Recorder at Chat Moss. Read our interview with Dave here. 

 

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