The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries on the planet. Cheshire Wildlife Trust is on a mission to bring wildlife back and help nature recover across Cheshire, Halton, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington and Wirral.
Without improving our protected wild places, it will be impossible for the UK to meet its international commitment (set by the government) to protect, connect and manage 30 per cent of land and sea for nature by 2030. Cheshire Wildlife Trust and its supporters are co-ordinating efforts to make more space for nature across our region – but we need your help.
Currently, only five per cent of the Cheshire region (equivalent to around 37,000 acres) is looked after in this way. Cheshire Wildlife Trust knows it simply can’t achieve 30 per cent (more than 222,000 acres) on its own.
Alongside supporters, residents, schools, landowners and organisations, the trust has started to grow a wild network across Cheshire. By working together, we’re making space for nature across farms, parks, nature reserves, schools, road verges, ponds, gardens and window boxes.
Do you want your children to see hedgehogs? Do you want to wake up to the sound of birds singing? Do you want to smell the sweet scent of wildflowers in meadows that are protected for bees and other pollinators? Do you want to feel part of something bigger than yourself? Cheshire Wildlife Trust need people like you to join thousands of others and be part of a wild network on your doorstep.
How Cheshire Wildlife Trust is building its wild network
- Growing the area of land it looks after for wildlife.
- Providing practical help and services to landowners, schools and businesses.
- Inspiring and advising everyone to act for wildlife where they live, work and play.
The trust is asking people to help identify sites that could be rewilded, making space for people, homes for wildlife and providing natural solutions to climate change. The vision is to create an intertwined network where wildlife can move freely and safely across our gardens, farms, cities and countryside.
Let Cheshire Wildlife Trust know if you have a space that could be better for wildlife
Have you got land that you or your business or school manages that could be made better for wildlife? Do you know a landowner who could be looking to sell or hand over the management of their site to make a home for wildlife? Do you walk or drive past somewhere where nature is missing? Do you want advice on how to welcome wildlife into your garden or outdoor space?
Depending on what you want to achieve, Cheshire Wildlife Trust can provide practical help, advice on how to do it yourself or can put you in touch with someone like you in the network who’s done something similar.
Martin Varley, director of nature’s recovery, at the trust says: 'We need your help to create a wild network across Cheshire. We know at least 30 per cent of the land and sea in the UK needs to be managed for nature so that missing wildlife is able to return. Although ambitious, we’re aiming to play our part in three different ways. Firstly, Cheshire Wildlife Trust wants to increase the area of land we manage for wildlife. Secondly, we want to offer practical help to farmers, landowners, councils, schools and businesses to make their land wilder by helping plant trees, create ponds, plant meadows or helping you connect with others in your area. And thirdly, we’re looking to inspire individuals to do what they can across their gardens, streets, schools, parks, farmland and business premises to create homes, food and shelter for our native wild plants and animals.'
The first step is identifying sites within Cheshire, Halton, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington and Wirral that could be improved for nature.
Be part of it
You can be part of the wild network and create more space for nature by helping to buy and rewild a new nature reserve. In spring 2022, the trust launched an appeal to raise £200,000 to help buy and rewild 100 acres of wildlife haven that would be safe in its hands forever – the most ambitious land purchase and rewilding project it has embarked on.
The trust has been busy looking at all the land options for sale. Unfortunately, the preferred site fell through at the last minute in September 2022. Although frustrating, we are unwavering in the mission to find a place to turn into a new wildlife haven.
For each donation to the appeal, you’ll be allocated a unique 3mx3m square. You can help buy and rewild as many squares as you wish and can name and dedicate it to someone special – the perfect unique gift for a loved one. It could become carbon-storing woodland, wetlands for breeding birds or wildflowers for pollinators. The trust has already raised £115,900 towards the goal through members of the public naming and dedicating patches of land.
You can donate online at cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/3mx3m or email wildnetwork@cheshirewt.org.uk if you have or know of any land, no matter how big or small, urban or rural you think could be great for wildlife with a little help.
