Greater Manchester Nature Network

To drive nature recovery, we need to set out a long-term spatial vision for nature recovery and focus delivery efforts on the places that will make the biggest difference for nature and the wider environment. This is to enable the targeting of effort and resources, encouraging collaboration and coordination where it will have the most impact.

This is our Nature Network for Greater Manchester, based on the established principles of “bigger, better and more joined up” set out in the Lawton review (2010).

Action outside of this Nature Network is still vitally important to reduce pressures on nature by creating a more wildlife-friendly city region.

Read more about the nature network and how it was developed. 

Greater Manchester Nature Network

The Greater Manchester Nature Network is made up of the following:

• Core local nature sites: sites that are already protected to some degree but are fragmented, isolated and poorly connected. We need to prioritise improvements in the condition and management of these sites.
• Nature recovery opportunity areas: areas where there are opportunities to expand and better connect our core local nature sites. We need to prioritise efforts in these locations for the creation and restoration of habitat, alongside other land uses.

Taking action in the nature network

To help guide action on nature recovery, our opportunity areas identify and map where action to enhance, restore or create different types of habitats might be possible and most beneficial. For example, areas are mapped where woodland enhancement should be encouraged or where woodland creation would be beneficial. These actions are not binding for landowners and managers but identify the areas, and types of action, that could be particularly beneficial in creating a Nature Network.

Areas mapped within our Nature Network are particularly suitable for the delivery of offsite biodiversity net gain and are classed as strategically significant in terms of the Defra Biodiversity Metric. The Nature Network does not introduce any new designations or protections, nor does it create any barriers to development. Development within these opportunity areas (or where it could have an impact on these areas) should seek to support and deliver on the priorities set out for these areas and help to work towards the wider ambitions of the Nature Network.

View our description of all mapped actions.

Taking action outside the nature network

Identifying a Nature Network does not mean that taking action should not be pursued in other locations across the city-region. Action can take place anywhere across the city-region to help realise the priorities in this strategy. There are many opportunities to do this in every community. Everyone can play a part, whether it is via the creation of pocket parks, wildlife-friendly gardens or new community growing spaces.

Mapping the GM Nature Network

How to use our nature network map

Learn how to use the map by watching the video below. 

Explore our nature network map

You can explore the Nature Network map below. If viewing on a mobile phone, you may need to click within a grey box to open the map. You can move the map around and change the zoom levels. The magnifying glass button lets you search for places of interest. Clicking the square box with an arrow in the top right corner opens a larger form of the map in a new tab. Layers can be turned on and off by clicking on the associated symbols in the legend.

You can also visit the full nature network map to explore mapping of key habitats, including: 

Contains OS Data © Crown copyright and database rights 2024 (OS AC0000808397); Contains Forestry Commission data © Crown copyright and database rights 2024; Contains Natural England Data © Crown copyright and database rights 2024; Contains RPA data © 2024 Rural Payments Agency. Data reproduced with the permission of The Woodland Trust for use for LNRS purposes only. The data is subject to the conditions of their non-commercial licence. This attribution applies to all maps shown on this page.

Use of this data is subject to terms and conditions.

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