Group of individuals in woodland smiling

We look after trees

Woodland management

Woodland management makes up a big part of what we do. We work at sites across the region to enhance our green spaces, working with the existing woodland landscape to allow it to thrive. From nature-based solutions like leaky dams to slow water flow in high rainfall events, to the removal of invasive species and making our woodlands more accessible through improved pathways and signage, we look after many aspects of woodland management.

Our urban woodlands are invaluable spaces for biodiversity, the resilience of urban areas and improved wellbeing. We know that people in our urban spaces are happier with greater access to nature. That’s why we choose to protect them.

Biodiversity Net Gain

City of Trees is bringing woodlands and the wider green spaces of Greater Manchester into active management through BNG.

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Why woodland management?

Many of our local spaces require care and maintenance, particularly due to their fragmented nature and a lack of funding and capacity in highly urbanised regions like Greater Manchester.

Our work is vital to meet the targets of Greater Manchester’s 5-year Environmental Plan – helping ensure that our communities have access to green space, active travel networks and potential for environmental education.

Shockingly over the past ten years, 44% of species have decreased in abundance, largely due to habitat loss and degradation. We are committed to the restoration of this. Using Biodiversity Action Plans and biological data from the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit, habitat management will focus on priority species, building healthier and more resilient ecosystems for local nature recovery.

Projects

4 men and 1 woman taking part in woodland management in high vis and hard hats

Trafford Countryside Management Project

Since September 2013, we have worked closely with Trafford Council as part of the Trafford Countryside Management Partnership.

Species Survival Fund in the Medlock Valley

We are currently working in the Medlock Valley to halt and reverse the decline in species abundance by preserving and restoring vital habitats.

Spotlight on…

Green Recovery in Bury & Wythenshawe

Last year we wrapped up one of our large woodland management projects, Green Recovery Challenge Fund 2, focused on sites across Wythenshawe and Bury. The project hosted 56 events which set out to reconnect individuals to their green and blue spaces whilst taking action to address the climate emergency. We engaged over 312 volunteers and clocked close to 1500 volunteer hours removing invasive species, planting wildflowers, managing ponds, collecting rubbish and much more.

“City of Trees volunteers worked hard all day to clear the undergrowth from the area where we delivered our coached cycling sessions. It was really great to see the teamwork in action, good camaraderie and a fantastic end result which enables our staff to teach more children in a newly created clean and safe space”
Julie Woodruff , NCA Director

man and woman litter picking in a woodland