A former industrial wasteland in Manchester has officially been designated an 1,824-acre nature reserve that will provide 300,000 locals with access to nature, reports EcoWatch.
image: Wigan Council Facebook
… National Nature Reserves help reconnect people with our natural world…
EcoWatch writes:
The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh will become one of England’s most extensive urban nature reserves and will provide protected habitat for endangered bitterns — a relative of the heron — water voles and 52 pairs of willow tit. The patchwork of meadows and wetlands consisting of marshy grassland, swamp, reedbed, wet woodland and tall herb fen will become part of the National Nature Reserves network.
“National Nature Reserves help reconnect people with our natural world, providing much needed opportunities to explore our incredible landscape for our health and wellbeing,” said Chief Executive Officer of Natural England Marian Spain, as BBC News reported.
A gradual sinking of land due to mining led to the formation of lakes that became habitat for species, the press release said. The Wigan and Leigh nature reserve highlights the transfiguration of the Flashes over the past century. The designation will be the first for Greater Manchester.
In addition to protecting wildlife, it is hoped the new nature reserve will become a site for sustainable tourism….
England’s National Nature Reserves were created not only to protect habitats for threatened species, but for use as “outdoor laboratories” for schools, the public and special interest groups to be exposed to wildlife and preserving nature.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the first of England’s nature reserves….
