Volunteers help to plant 500 trees at new nature site
14 February 2011
Over 25 volunteers helped to plant 500 new trees over the weekend at Lightshaw Meadows - a new nature site which is being developed, just outside Leigh and Wigan.
The trees - including oak, silver birch, ash and rowan - were chosen to re-create Wigan's traditional native broadleaf woodland and will help to improve the habitat for a wide range of local, and often rare, bird and animal species.
Shaped by Wigan's long industrial landscape, Lightshaw Meadows is a fantastically unique area for nature and part of a wider network of flashes.
Over the next three years Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Red Rose Forest will work to restore the area for the benefit of key habitats and species listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority List.
The project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Environment Agency, Natural England and Wigan Greenheart.
Local volunteers Bob and Glenys McClellan both enjoyed the event:
"It's great to get involved with special planting events like this. We live locally and it's important to give something back to the land that has provided us with so much. Volunteering to plant trees is a great way to get back to nature, meet new people and learn about the land that surrounds us. Plus it's great fun too!"
Community Liaison Manager for Red Rose Forest Jessica Thompson is passionate about protecting the area:
"This area is unique. Much of Lightshaw Meadows is shaped by Wigan's proud industrial history.
"It's important that the community is involved again - helping to develop and protect the site, reconnecting with an area that played such an important role in our local history.
"This is the first of several community based events which will help to develop the site. We invite anyone interested in helping to get in touch.
"Volunteers, bird watchers, local historians and neighbouring communities will all play an important role in the site's development."
If you are interested in volunteering and helping out in further events at Lightshaw Meadows call Jessica Thompson on 0161 872 1660 or email .
