Clayton Vale was designated a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) by Manchester City Councils executive committee on Wednesday July 26 th 2006, a decision supported by English Nature.
In a launch event on Friday 28 th July the Friends were presented with a plaque, by David Jeffries from English Nature and Cllr. Mark Hackett.
LNRs are sites that contain wildlife and/or geological features that are of specific, local interest. They also provide opportunities for people to become involved in the management of their local environment as well as giving people special opportunities to study, learn or simply enjoy the surroundings.
Clayton Vale is one of only four Local Nature Reserves in Manchester the others being Blackley Forest, Chorlton Water Park and Chorlton Ees and Ivy Green in Chorlton. Manchester is committed to its biodiversity strategy, which was adopted in April 2005. One of the key aims in the strategy is to increase the number of LNRs in Manchester and it is proposed that further sites will be declared over the next five years.
Declaring sites as LNRs offers increased benefits not only to wildlife but also to residents and visitors to the city. The reserves can offer protection of wildlife habitats and natural features, increase community awareness of natural environments and provide opportunities to learn about nature.
Councillor Mark Hackett, executive member for culture and leisure at Manchester City Council, said: "The sites chosen so far have been selected because of their rich flora and fauna and strong Friends groups. I am delighted that we are increasing the number of Local Nature Reserves in Manchester. Clayton Vale has a diverse mix of habitats and wildlife and provides a variety of leisure activities, such as walking, fishing and environmental activities. I hope more people will become involved in both looking after and enjoying this area and I’d like to congratulate the Friends Group for making the LNR designation possible." |
