Help support species in the Medlock Valley
The Medlock Valley Partnership are working in Manchester, Oldham and Tameside to preserve and restore vital habitats in the River Medlock Valley to halt species decline. We’ll be working in Clayton Vale, Bank Bridge Meadow and along the Rochdale canal in Manchester to improve grassland, woodland and wetland habitats. Find out below how you can get involved.
How can you get involved?
Alongside our partners, Groundwork will be running a series of activities to give you the chance to get involved with the project and learn about the role these habitats play. From litter picking, to Balsam bashing, wildflower harvesting and so much more!
We’ll also be running family-friendly events so the little ones can get involved too!
Scroll below to see all of our upcoming activities in Manchester
Upcoming Activities
Weekly activities at Clayton Vale Green Community Hub (Manchester)
TCV are running regular activities at Clayton Vale every Thursday morning. Each week will alternate between practical conservation activities and wellbeing activities.
Sessions are designed to be accessible, and we welcome social prescribing referrals. We are especially encouraging people to attend who are looking to develop skills while looking for employment.
We meet at 10am at the Tuck Shop in Clayton Vale, M40 1GR.
- Thursday 24th April – Path maintenance
- Thursday 1st May – Pond dipping and nature walk
- Thursday 8th May – Bird song ID and nature walk
- Thursday 29th May – Balsam Bashing
Monthly volunteering at Lees Brook Nature Reserve (Oldham)
Join Groundwork for a practical conservation task on the last Thursday of each month. No experience is necessary – we’ll provide all the equipment and demonstrations! Join us on;
Thursday 24th April
1pm – 3pm
We’ll meet at the entrance opposite the Bulls Head Pub, OL4 2HB.
Woodland Management Days
Join City of Trees on their Woodland Management days and become a Citizen Forester!
Tasks will include woodland thinning, invasive species removal, litterpicking and more! No experience is required and all tools will be provided.
Click the dates below to find out more and sign up, or contact Agnes.
- TBC
Green Skills Woodland Workshops (Manchester)
Want to learn the theory behind good woodland management technique and the skills to put it into practice?
Then join Groundwork and TCV for our programme of woodland workshops at Clayton Vale Green Community Hub! Each session will focus on a species of tree and a different woodland management technique. No experience is necessary – we’ll provide all the tools and demonstrations.
- Thursday 17th April
- Thursday 15th May
Sessions will run from 10am – 2pm. We will meet at the Tuck Shop in Clayton Vale Green Community Hub, Berry Brow, M40 1GR.
Species Monitoring Workshop
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned wildlife enthusiast, these workshops are perfect for anyone interested in conservation and biodiversity. Following the classroom workshops, there will be an opportunity to attend evening sessions across various sites within Medlock Valley.
Having attended the workshop it would be desirable for volunteers to participate in upcoming surveys.
- Thursday 24th April – Willow Tit Survey (3/4)
- Tuesday 22nd April – Great Crested Newts (3/3)
- Tuesday 29th April – Nocturnal Bat Survey (1/7)
- Tuesday 6th May – Water Vole Survey (2/4)
- Thursday 8th May – Willow Tit Survey (4/4)
- Monday 19th May – Butterfly Survey Workshop 1
- Tuesday 20th May – Butterfly Survey Workshop 2
- Tuesday 27th May – Water Vole Survey (3/4)
- Wednesday 28th May – Nocturnal Bat Survey (2/7)
- Wednesday 4th June – Nocturnal Bat Survey (3/7)
- Tuesday 10th June – Water Vole Survey (4/4)
- Wednesday 11th June – Nocturnal Bat Survey (4/7)
- Monday 16th June – Nocturnal Bat Survey (5/7)
- Monday 7th July – Nocturnal Bat Survey (6/7)
- Monday 11th August – Nocturnal Bat Survey (7/7)
Please check individual webpages for locations and timings.
Monthly volunteering with Canal & River Trust (Tameside)
Join Canal & River Trust for monthly volunteer days to improve habitats along the Ashton and Rochdale canal.
Activities may include scrub clearance, woodland management, invasive species removal and more!
In April, join us on Thursday 17th on the Ashton Canal. We’ll meet on Lumb Lane at 9:30am.
In May, join us on Thursday 8th and 15th. We’ll meet in the area of Lock 5 on the Ashton canal from 9:30am. Parking is available on Stuart Street.
Contact Nidal to find out more and sign up
For more information about volunteering opportunities, contact our Community Project Lead Fran via Francesca.Sullivan@groundwork.org.uk
