We caught up with Krista Patrick, Natural Capital Coordinator at GMCA to learn how the natural capital approach has evolved in Greater Manchester. Background The growing need to conserve and enhance natural capital is well documented. We know that we are depleting natural resources faster than the earth can replenish them. …

New report published reveals changes to water birds using the River Irwell In 2018, Kersal Wetlands (28-hectare flood basin that lies within a meander of the River Irwell and includes 5 hectares of urban wetland habitat) was constructed as part of a flood protection scheme at the site of the…

Mark Turner, Natural Course Greater Manchester Team Leader, gives us an overview of what happened at the inaugural Greater Manchester Water Forum…  The Greater Manchester Water Forum met for the first time on Friday 18th June 2021 as part of the Greater Manchester Natural Capital Group annual conference and as…

Community Forest Trust, Woodland Trust, Environment Agency and Liverpool University have delivered a number of nature-based solutions at the Smithills Estate on the outskirts of Bolton in Greater Manchester. The project focuses on the creation of 25 structural features that provide flood risk protection for communities downstream of Smithills alongside…

Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Natural Course have just launched a new Natural Capital User Guide. Natural capital tools provide decision makers with the information and evidence to make more informed, joined-up decisions on the protection of the natural environment and investment projects. Natural Course has been supporting Greater Manchester…

Background: A core theme of Natural Course is using a Natural Capital approach to generate new and greater resources for natural environment projects. In Phase 2 of the Natural Course project, accounts of the Irwell Catchment’s existing Natural Capital and a series of Ecosystem Services Opportunity tools were created. These…

A joint project to open up the River Croal catchment to migratory fish has been completed. The removal of a disused failing weir on the River Tonge will help combat long-term declines in fish stocks and boost other wildlife. Partnership project between the Environment Agency, Groundwork, Greater Manchester Combined Authority,…

14th September 2020 marks the launch of a brand new environmental campaign for Greater Manchester. It aims to raise awareness of the work being delivered around the natural environment, and inspire residents, businesses and policy makers across the region to work together to improve it. The campaign, which is part…

Krista Patrick, the Natural Capital Coordinator for Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Natural Course, takes some time to explain the Natural Capital Approach being taken in Greater Manchester. Our relationship with the natural world is changing, which provides real opportunities for us to apply natural capital ideas and approaches.  As…

On Wednesday 3rd October 2018, the Environment Agency and its partners hosted a workshop aimed at starting a process of “Bringing Life to the River Irk”. Over 30 representatives of stakeholder organisations came together in central Manchester to work together and start the development of a long-term, 10-year, vision for…