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Seven Acres Country Park along The Kingfisher Trail

Image by The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

The Kingfisher Trail

About the project

PROJECT TITLE: The Kingfisher Trail

LOCATION: 14-mile route connecting the rural West Pennine Moors to the urban centres of Bolton, Bury and Salford

FUNDING: Awarded £115,050 from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund

PARTNERS: The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

The idea

Brimming with biodiversity, the Kingfisher Trail connects people to sites including: Seven Acres Local Nature Reserve, Leverhulme Park Local Nature Reserve and Nob End SSSI. Working with community groups and dedicated organisations, the project focuses on reviving sites along the trail to encourage the public to explore this stunning area. The project is all about sharing, whether knowledge, resources or expertise, to better manage the route and improve it for both people and nature. 

The trail is a mosaic of woodland, wetlands, species rich grassland, and heath, as well as more unusual habitats as a result of natural succession within post-industrial landscapes. Project activity will support the network of Friends of groups in the area to share learning and expertise. The project will support volunteering that includes surveying and practical conservation, and bring everyone together to look at how the landscape can be improved further for both wildlife and public enjoyment.   

With the help of partners and volunteers the project: 

  • Explores new ways to interpret and communicate the heritage, biodiversity and community value of the Kingfisher trail. 

  • Prioritises practical habitat conservation and access improvements. 

  • Plans exciting community engagement activities and events designed to enthuse visitors to the Trail.Â