Greater Manchester’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) will act as a roadmap for how we tackle the biodiversity emergency and improve access to nature across the city-region over the next decade. A key part of this strategy is to set out how we can help nature recover by identifying priorities for different habitats. In this blog series, we want to introduce some of our draft priorities for the GM LNRS.
The priorities in the LNRS are essentially the long-term outcomes that we all need to work towards for both habitats and species. Delivering on these priorities will help nature recover. The draft habitat priorities developed for the strategy are intended to benefit many local species, while also delivering wider social and economic benefits – such as improved wellbeing and reduced air pollution.
Our draft GM LNRS (due to be published later this year) sets out priorities for the following habitats:
1) Urban green spaces and buildings
2) Woodlands, trees, scrub and hedgerows
3) Rivers, canals and waterbodies
4) Lowland mosslands and wetlands
5) Grasslands, farmlands and lowland heath
6) Upland moorlands
We will be asking for feedback on these draft priorities during our public consultation later this year.
Our woodlands, trees, scrub and hedgerows
Our second habitat priorities blog focuses on woodland, tree, scrub and hedgerow habitats.
There are estimated to be over 11.3 million trees across Greater Manchester, with a combined tree canopy covering just over 16% of the city-region – equivalent to 22,260 hectares. Our woodlands include broadleaved mixed woodlands, ancient woodlands, clough woodlands and wet woodlands, upland oak woodlands and wood pasture, alongside veteran and notable trees, newly planted trees and plantations.
Our existing woodlands, trees and hedgerows across Greater Manchester already play a valuable role in supporting local species, but they could do more. There are opportunities to enhance and better manage existing woodlands, to support biodiversity better. Well-managed, healthier, woodlands can deliver more benefits to people and better deal with pests, disease, invasive species and climate change. Our woodlands, trees and hedgerows could also be better connected by linking the remaining fragments of these habitats together, to enable the movement of woodland species.

In addition to providing habitats for wildlife, better woodland management offers more benefits to people, improving access to nearby nature. Street trees also provide health and well-being benefits, improve local air quality, manage rainwater, and help regulate the impact of climate change.
Setting out clear priorities for nature recovery across this habitatwill help communicate how we can all take action to enhance these spaces for nature and people.
Draft nature recovery priorities for woodlands, trees, scrub and hedgerows
– More existing woodlands, hedgerows, trees and scrub are safeguarded, restored and resilient
– Bigger and better-connected woodlands, trees and scrub, integrated with patchworks of other habitats
– New urban street trees, urban community orchards and woodlands, improving access to nature and climate adaptation
– More native hedgerows created and maintained, linking together spaces for wildlife
– More varied trees, scrub, parkland and woodland habitats incorporated into our farmlands and more productive woodlands delivering nature recovery
These priorities will help guide nature recovery for these habitats, supporting species such as oak, badgers and bluebells.
Taking action on these priorities
Each priority is accompanied by several practical actions that will positively contribute towards delivering these priorities. Everyone can play a role in taking action to deliver on these priorities, even the smallest actions can add up to make space for nature to thrive.
Examples of actions to support woodlands, trees, scrub and hedgerows:
– Targeted urban tree and woodland planting
– Enhance and diversify existing woodlands, scrub, and hedgerows
– Wildlife-friendly recreational use of woodlands
Hear more about our priorities
We want to make sure our plan for nature reflects the views of residents and businesses right across Greater Manchester, from city and town dwellers to those living in rural areas.
Keep an eye out for upcoming blogs on priorities for all our habitats across Greater Manchester and sign up for our GM Green City Newsletter to stay updated about our upcoming public consultation.
Please note that the priorities and practical actions outlined in this blog are draft versions and may change following our public consultation.