The Species Survival Fund, which was announced early in 2024, aims to enable restoration of over 3,300 hectares of critical habitats across the country. The Fund will benefit twenty conservation projects, one of which is the 'Freshwater Renaissance' project on the River Bollin.

This is a 2-year collaborative project between the Mersey Rivers Trust and the National Trust. Together we will be creating and restoring habitats along the River Bollin at a number of National Trust sites and sites managed by the Bollin Valley Partnership.

Locations

Mersey Rivers Trust, working with the Bollin Valley Partnership at their sites:

• Lindow Common
• Riverside Park
• The Carrs
• Rossmill
• Working collaboratively with National Trust at Quarry Bank doing habitat restoration.

The National Trust are also doing works at Dunham Massey, Lyme Park and Quarry Bank.

Lindow Common

A series of scrapes will be created on the edge of a wet heath compartment. 

A scrape is a shallow depression in the ground with gentle sloping edges that is seasonally wet. Scrapes support a range of invertebrates, and provide feeding areas for wading birds.

The excess soil from these scrapes will be used to create bee banks.

Riverside Park

A number of works are going to take place at Riverside Park, on both sides of the railway line. These works include: creating a series of ponds, restoring ponds and riparian restoration.

Riparian restoration can include activities such as willow spiling and riparian planting which will help secure the river banks and prevent them from eroding.

The Carrs

Plans to create a wetland at the Carrs has been in the works for a couple of years, which is why this wetland has been part funded by a crowd fund.

Wetlands support and provide habitat for various plants, invertebrates, birds and mammals. They also store carbon and can reduce flood risk further downstream.

Rossmill

We will be creating a couple of ponds on the edge of the meadow where the land is already wet, creating more biodiversity in this area.

With 50% of UK ponds lost in the 20th century, it is important to create more of this habitat, especially because ponds support 2/3 of our freshwater species.

Engagement Events

As well as these capital works, we are also hosting engagement events that people can get involved in, including bioblitz days, guided walks, children's activities, and working parties. 

These events will be held at:

• Riverside Park
• The Carrs
• Quarry Bank
• Lyme Park
• Dunham Massey

Make sure to keep an eye out on our socials and Eventbrite page for upcoming events!

The Species Survival Fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency. Freshwater Renaissance is also supported by players of the People's Postcode Lottery.