Engaging The Local Community With Nature In Shaw, Oldham

Thanks to a grant from the Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund and support from Shaw & Crompton Town Council, Groundwork have been working with local people, enhancing and protecting nature in George Street Playing Field and surrounding areas in Shaw, Oldham.

Engaging with local schools

Groundwork’s Community Project Lead, Suzanne Walton has been working with a group of year 4 pupils from Buckstones Primary School and the Eco Committee from East Crompton St George’s Primary School over the past few months to connect them with the surrounding area and provide insights about the habitats and species, better protecting nature in the area.

During the monthly sessions Suzanne and the pupils have:

  • Created seed bombs
  • Planting plug plants at George Street Playing Field
  • Undertaken a river study
  • Discovered what creatures live in the pond
  • Created nature-inspired artwork
Young people protecting nature
Looking at local nature
Nature art

Landscape improvements

In addition, Groundwork’s landscaping team have:

  • Created space for and planted new strips of wildflower turf
  • Cleared Himalayan Balsam (an invasive species) from the river edge
  • Removed encroaching Reedmace and rhizomes to outlying areas of the pond and wetland margins
Landscaping team protecting nature

Thanks & Acknowledgements

GMCA logo
GMEF logo
Shaw & Crompton council logo