Cheshire Wildlife Trust, alongside local residents, schools and organisations have begun to grow a wild network across Cheshire. Today they’re inviting you to join in with thousands of others and be part of nature’s recovery on your doorstep and emailing wildnetworks@cheshirewt.org.uk if you know of any land that could be great for wildlife with a little help. 

Do you want your children to see hedgehogs in their neighbourhoods? Do you want to wake up to the sound of birdsong, knowing that the trees they dwell in are helping lock up carbon? Do you want to smell the sweet scent of wildflowers in meadows that are protected for bees and other pollinators? Do you want to be able to taste food that didn’t cost the earth? Do you want to feel part of something bigger than yourself?  

Cheshire Wildlife Trust is asking people for help identifying sites that could be rewilded, making space for people, homes for wildlife and providing natural solutions to climate change. Their vision is to create an intertwined wild network, where wildlife can move freely and safely across our gardens, farms, cities and countryside.  

Before Christmas the Government unveiled their overdue domestic environmental targets while taking the stage at the international nature conference, COP15. These long-awaited Environment Act targets are intended to improve biodiversity, air and water quality, and reduce waste. But instead, nature will continue to struggle as the Government’s low ambition defies public opinion on river health, wildlife declines and sites for nature. 

Without improving our protected wild places, it will be impossible for the UK to meet its international commitment to protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. Cheshire Wildlife Trust and their supporters say enough is enough. Together they are coordinating efforts to make more space for nature across our region – but they need your help.  

Martin Varley, Director of Nature’s Recovery, at the Trust says: 

“We need your help to create a wild network across Cheshire. We know at least 30% of the land and sea in the UK needs to be managed for nature so that missing wildlife is able to return. In terms of land in Cheshire that’s approximately 90,000ha.” 

Martin continues: 

“Although ambitious, we’re aiming to play our part in three different ways. Firstly Cheshire Wildlife Trust wants to increase the area of land we manage for wildlife. Secondly we want to offer practical help to farmers, landowners, councils, schools and businesses to make their land wilder by helping plant trees, create ponds, plant meadows or helping you connect with others in your area. And thirdly, we’re looking to inspire individuals to do what they can across their gardens, streets, schools, parks, farmland and business premises to create homes, food and shelter for our native wild plants and animals.” 

The first step is identifying sites within Cheshire, Halton, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington and Wirral that could be improved for nature – a wild network. The Trust are asking you to email wildnetwork@cheshirewt.org.uk if you have or know of any land, no matter how big or small, urban or rural, that you think could be great for wildlife with a little help.