News
Findings from the invasive, non-native species survey of the River Irwell released
Invasive, non-native species (INNS) of plant are a major threat to the health of our rivers and are also damaging to the wider environment and economy. Between June and October 2022, we conducted the largest and most comprehensive survey of INNS plants of the Irwell catchment. Greater Manchester Combined Authority…
Winter Wetland Bird Blitz – good for volunteers and good for nature
Did you know that spending time in and around green and blue spaces is beneficial to health and wellbeing1? The ‘five steps to wellbeing’2 encourage us all to connect, be active, take notice, learn and give, which is why activities such as this year’s annual Winter Wetland Bird Blitz (WWBB)…
Project Update: Monitoring winter water birds on the River Irwell
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…
Building upon the Natural Capital approach in 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…
Blog: Delivering a Natural Capital Approach in Greater Manchester
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…
The River Irwell: a vital habitat for wetland birds
Rivers up and down the country provide important habitats for a wide variety of species, including invertebrates, fish, birds and mammals. In the North West, the River Irwell in Greater Manchester provides a particular haven for wintering ducks, with regionally significant numbers of goldeneye and tufted ducks being recorded. The…
Natural Course celebrates winning top award at the Landscape Institute Awards ceremony
Natural Course is pleased to announce success at the Landscape Institute Awards Ceremony 2019 winning in the ‘Transforming through Management and Science’ category The ceremony celebrates the value of landscape in connecting people, place and nature, with awards presented to professionals in recognition of their outstanding work and to encourage…
Restoring rivers the Natural Course way
Work has taken place on Eagley Brook in Bolton to remove a weir, marking another step in the journey of improving rivers and waterbodies across the North West of England for Natural Course. The work has opened over two kilometres of the brook, allowing fish like Brown Trout to pass…
Natural Course River Irwell project highly commended at prominent awards ceremony
A Natural Course project has been recognised at this year’s annual awards of The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). The awards celebrate excellence in the fields of ecology and environmental management, honouring projects that demonstrate exemplary and inspirational best practice in their industry. The River Irwell Natural…
Using story maps to turn evidence into action
The Irwell Catchment Partnership has developed a catchment ‘story map’ to help partners interrogate evidence and turn it into action on the ground. The story map, along with the partnership’s vision and terms of reference, will serve as the overall Catchment Management Plan, driving evidence-based delivery to further improve the…