Networks for Nature

Networks for Nature is built upon the success of our Nature Recovery Corridor project. We’re creating a thriving, more connected, wildlife-rich landscape across Northwest Cheshire, for the benefit of people and nature, and maintained through community collaboration and partnership.

Supported with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and in partnership with a host of local organisations, Networks for Nature will tackle habitat loss, species decline and urban isolation from nature.

Our Nature Recovery Corridor was a huge success, improving over 62 hectares for wildlife and directly engaging more than 12,000 people in the project.

READ OUR REPORT

The project area will cover 60 square miles from Ellesmere Port to Chester and will run from 2023 to 2028 where we will have met the project objectives to…

Drive nature recovery

Creating and connecting diverse habitats for species to thrive now and for the future.

Make nature more accessible

and inclusive for everyone – creating connections and improving wellbeing.

Empower communities to protect and restore nature

Supporting their stewardship of their natural heritage.

Create a Network for Nature

Establishing strong partnerships to support the work and legacy of Networks for Nature into the future.

Networks for Nature is only possible through partnership and collaboration with groups, communities and organisations committed to protecting and restoring nature. Here’s some of the key partners we’re working with:

	Cheshire West and Chester are aiming to sew wildflower meadows across the region and improve five public parks across the region for nature.
	Cheshire Wildlife Trust will work with landowners across the region to identify and restore habitats for nature including in the Gowy Meadows Nature Reserve.
	The Canal and River Trust will monitor water quality and identify flagship spaces for nature along the Shropshire Union Canal.
	Networks for Nature is part of The Land Trust’s continued create a biodiverse wetland habitat at the heart of the Countess of Chester Country Park.
	Sustrans will improve two sites along the National Cycle Network for the benefit of nature and people.
	Cheshire West Communities Together will work with us to help identify groups and schools who want to take action for nature in their own communities.

PROJECT MAP

Map showing the area covered by Chester Zoo's Networks For Nature project. The map shows an area stretching from Hooton in the north down to Waverton in the south.

GET INVOLVED

Over 12,000 people got involved in the Nature Recovery Corridor and we’re looking to involve even more in Networks for Nature. Whether you’re part of a school, a community group or a local champion of nature that wants to take action for nature in your local area, we want to hear from you. Throughout 2023 and 2024, we’ll be engaging with communities across the region to find out where – and most importantly – how we can work together. If you have plans ready to grow or the seed of an idea ready to be planted, we want to hear from you:

SCHOOLS COMMUNITIES LANDOWNERS VOLUNTEERING

SCHOOLS

We want to work with schools across the region to help make safe spaces for wildlife and support the next generation of nature’s protectors.
In the Nature Recovery Corridor, we worked with families, pupils and teachers from six schools across the areas, bringing UK wildlife exploration into schools and their grounds.
Over the course of a school year we’ll deliver a whole school, curriculum-linked project alongside training for staff and offer for families, flexible to the needs of the school .
If you teach or have children at a school that could take part in the project, please get in touch with Jane Absalom, Community Engagement Officer: j.absalom@chesterzoo.org

COMMUNITIES

We want to work with community groups across the region to help them make their outdoor spaces better for both people and wildlife.
Our Nature Recovery Corridor project highlighted the health and wellbeing benefits of making space for nature.
In the Nature Recovery corridor, we worked with six groups over the course of a year, from mental health charities to allotment keepers all with the goal of improving their local spaces for people and nature.
As part of Networks for Nature, community group leaders and members will learn a range of new skills from our Community Engagement Officers, related to encouraging and supporting wildlife in their outdoor spaces.
If you are part of a group that could take part in the project, please get in touch with Jane Absalom, Community Engagement Officer: j.absalom@chesterzoo.org

LANDOWNERS

Are you a farmer or landowner in Northwest Cheshire?

Much of our Cheshire landscape is farmed and Networks for Nature aims to support farmers and landowners across the county to manage, create and restore wildlife-rich areas alongside domestic food production.

If part of every farm in the county were managed for the benefit of wildlife, we could create a habitat corridor for native species to help combat the loss of UK nature and make efforts to tackle the effects of climate change.

Networks for Nature’s environmental advisors will support farmers to develop nature recovery plans which aim to increase habitat connectivity across the landscape alongside domestic food production.

As part of this project, we will:

Arrange a site visit to discuss opportunities for habitat creation and management on your land
Provide a recommendations plan and next steps to help support you implement your plan

Get in touch to find out more:

Lucy Witter – Nature-based farm advisor
Email: lwitter@cheshirewt.org.uk
Phone: 07519 328950
(Member of BASIS Professional Register of Environmental Advisors)

Shona Redman – Networks for Nature project ecologist
Email: s.redman@chesterzoo.org
Phone: 07483 042557

VOLUNTEERING

There are lots of ways you can contribute your time to support nature’s recovery. Receive regular updates to hear about all the latest volunteering opportunities, news from across the network and wildlife information.

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