Our Millennium Greenway is part of Chester Zoo's large-scale project to improve conditions for wildlife in green spaces across Cheshire.
Chester's Millennium Greenway is part of a network of green spaces across Cheshire which will be improved for wildlife.
The Zoo has announced it will receive £4,073,372 funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support its Networks for Nature initiative, an ambitious project to restore wildlife habitats across the region.
The Chester Millennium Greenway (National Cycle route 5) is one of several green spaces in the region which will benefit from conservation work.
As part of the project we’ll be planting native hedges and encouraging more diverse habitats along the Greenway.
This will help a host of species, including badgers, bats and hedgehogs, to thrive along the traffic-free path.
Great crested newts are now thriving in one pond along the path, created as part of an earlier phase of the project.
The Greenway, which runs between Mickle Trafford and Connah’s Quay, is a popular route for students and commuters, and the gateway to North Wales for long distance riders.
Mary Seaton, our Land Manager in the North, said: “We’re delighted to continue this collaboration with Chester Zoo to improve green spaces across Cheshire.
“The work we’ll be able to carry out as part of this project will make a real difference to nature along the Millenium greenway, and make it an even better place for walking, cycling and wheeling.
“Linear green spaces and wetlands help connect wildlife as well as people. By working together with other organisations in the region we can create better links between habitats. This allows species to move more freely to other areas, and to become more resilient to climate change.”
The project includes planting native hedgerows along the Millennium Greenway as part of wider efforts across Cheshire to restore hedgerows. PHOTO courtesy of Chester Zoo
Networks for Nature is being led by the conservation-focussed zoo, in partnership with us and a host of other organisations, including Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the Canal and River Trust and The Land Trust.
Across Cheshire, the funds will be used to create or restore 20 ponds, nearly 3,000 metres of hedgerow and more than 100 hectares of habitat.
The grant will also be used to engage 4,500 students in year-long school projects to improve school grounds for wildlife and people, and train 90 young people through an environmental leadership course.
Hannah Brooks, Senior Community Participation & Engagement Manager at Chester Zoo, said The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant was a massive boost for the project:
“As a charity we’re so grateful that this funding has come through. This is an exciting moment for the project.
“Individual action can be difficult, but collectively we can inspire each other and provide a network that will keep having impact long into the future.”
“The ultimate aim of the project is to create a thriving landscape for people and wildlife. This involves creating community nature spaces, reviving wetland areas to support amphibian and bird species, and improving existing nature parks.”
Helen Featherstone, Director of England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We’re delighted to support Chester Zoo’s Networks to Nature project thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.
“It is vital that we value, rebuild and protect our natural heritage so it is sustained for the future, and we are excited to see the zoo and its communities taking forward this shared ambition in new and innovative ways.”
Hedgehogs will be one of numerous species that will benefit from the improvements. Photo courtesy of Chester Zoo.
