Get involved
Menu

Our work

More from Trees – A green recovery through The Mersey Forest

An ambitious 18-month initiative led by the Mersey Forest

The “More from Trees: A Green Recovery Through the Mersey Forest” project was an ambitious 18-month initiative led by the Mersey Forest, in collaboration with key partners, including Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), and the Plant A Tree Today (PATT) Foundation.

This project, funded by the Green Recovery Challenge Fund (GRCF) Round 2, aimed to kick-start environmental renewal across Merseyside and Cheshire while creating and retaining jobs. 

The GRCF, developed by Defra and its Arms-Length Bodies, is designed to support conservation and nature recovery efforts, providing vital funding that is distributed and monitored by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). The project seeked to enhance biodiversity, improve community engagement with nature, and foster economic growth through sustainable practices. 

Aiming to build on the success of other projects, the project is part of the Mersey Forest team’s long-term aim to work with partners, communities and landowners to revitalise the environment, whilst bringing economic and social benefits to local communities 

There were eight key projects funded through this programme. 

  1. Bold Forest Park – Restoration of four BAP habitats at Bold Forest Park, St. Helens, to support native species including Willow Tit. 15 young people with Special Educational Needs will be given the opportunity to develop habitat creation skills. 
  1. Natural Flood Management – The installation of 20 natural flood management interventions, called Leaky Woody Dams, in the Lower Dane Catchment and Rivacre Valley. 
  1. Nature Based Interventions – The installation of a range of Nature-Based interventions in Liverpool City Centre. 
  1. Green Task Force – Creation of a Green Task Force, comprised of a team of 30 veterans who will receive training and paid opportunities around green skills. 

5 – Community Tree Nursery – Creation of a specialist Tree Nursery to deliver new Native Woodlands across Cheshire. Ten young people and a trainee will be upskilled in horticulture and conservation. 

6 – Connecting Communities to Nature – The delivery of Natural Health Service activities and a NHS Cheshire & Merseyside Community Grants programme to encourage 1,000 people from under-represented groups to access local greenspace and improve their health and wellbeing. Outdoor classrooms will also be created. 

7 – Natural Capital Hub  -The creation of a Natural Capital Hub to co-ordinate, develop and deliver four training modules around Natural Capital to 100 people. 

8- Woodland Management – The production of eight Woodland Management Plans to bring 700ha of undermanaged woodland into active management 

Growing partnerships with community organisations, landowners and contractors was vital to the success of this project, which has delivered extensive habitat conservation and restoration, plus connect people with nature over a short timescale. 

A full report can be viewed in our resources section.

We’ve also produced some video’s capturing the difference this project has made to our partners, the local community and the environment. View them on the YouTube links below.

More from Trees: A Green Recovery project in the Mersey Forest
More from Trees: A Green Recovery – Bold Forest Park
More from Trees: A Green Recovery – The Green Task Force
More from Trees: A Green Recovery – Making space for nature in Liverpool
More from Trees: A Green Recovery –Natural Flood Management
More from Trees: A Green Recovery – Natural Health Service
More from Trees: A Green Recovery – Outdoor learning areas 

30,000

trees

Planted over 30,000 trees

987

hectares

Brought in over 987 hectares of woodland into active management

14

Created 14 outdoor classrooms

1107

volunteers

Engaged 1107 volunteers who have contributed to the project