Greater Manchester Combined Authority has developed a draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for the city-region. The strategy sets out our vision for a greener Greater Manchester, where space for nature to flourish is grown and enhanced, more people can access and enjoy the natural environment, and the many benefits nature brings are increased for everyone—from supporting mental and physical wellbeing to creating leisure space and supporting biodiversity.
The headline ambitions for the strategy are by 2035, to:
- Protect: Increase the amount of Greater Manchester protected for nature from 11% to 15% of the city-region.
- Enhance: Bring 50% of our Local Wildlife Sites into active management for nature conservation. Create
Work towards the restoration and creation of 1,800ha of wildlife-rich land and to expand tree canopy cover from 16.5% to 18.5%. - Connect: Target the delivery of new wildlife-rich land and tree planting within the GM Nature Network.
- Improve access: Increase the number of GM residents living within 15mins of a decent green space.
The strategy is open for consultation until 31 January 2025. Everyone can participate in shaping the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Your voice matters whether you are a resident, community group, or local business.
You can view the draft plan for nature and give feedback online, or you can join one of the in person drop-in sessions to speak with our experts and have your say on how nature recovery should be prioritised across the city-region (The Bury session is at the Mill Gate Shopping Centre, on the 8 Jan 2025, 1pm-4pm).
There are also two events that local groups may be interested in attending:
- Community groups event at Friends’ Meeting House, Manchester: 5 Dec, 6.30pm-8.30pm – register here.
- Green Summit Local Nature Recovery Strategy Workshop at the Lowry, Salford, 9 December 11am-12pm – register here
You can read the full strategy and find out more about how the consultation is progressing via the GMCA website
