Broadhurst Clough becomes Manchester’s latest dedicated Local Nature Reserve

Moston’s Broadhurst Clough joins Kenworthy Woods as the city’s newest designated Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

Broadhurst Clough, which is part of the Irk Valley Corridor, becomes the tenth LNR in Manchester, forming part of the North Manchester nature network linking to Moston Fairway and Boggart Hole Clough.

The status as a LNR will help to protect natural features and wildlife habitats and increase local involvement where people can learn and study in nature with all the added health and wellbeing that this brings. It also increases the opportunity to bid for additional funding to enhance and improve the area.

The 14-hectare area contains Dean Brook which trickles through the lower level of the Clough in a steep-sided woodland ravine. The area consists of a mosaic of amenity grassland, species-rich rough grassland and marshland.

Mature poplars here sit alongside young copses of birch and alder woodland which have been planted in partnership with the City of Trees. Extensive stands of flag iris can be found in the marshy areas and seasonal ponds, providing ideal cover for common frogs and toads, as well as rest stops for dragonflies.

Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment and Transport said: “We want to get the right balance between people and nature and by developing the city’s natural environment, it’s woodlands, rivers and meadows for residents and visitors to enjoy, it helps to preserve the precious eco-systems that we already have and contribute to an increasing and diverse wildlife, flora and fauna in our natural environment.

“It is also another step in our journey and ambition to not just mitigate the impacts of climate change but to become a zero-carbon city by 2038.”

Regular events including bat walks, pond dipping and fungal foraging take place at Broadhurst Clough, organised by the active Friends of group alongside the Parks team that manage the green space.

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