Champions for Cheshire Trees

Champions for Cheshire Trees

Champions for Cheshire Trees

What is it?

Cheshire’s trees tell the story of its landscape, communities and economy, from ancient yews in churchyards and mighty oak wood pastures, to the hedgerows and orchards that once fed the booming industrial cities of Manchester and Liverpool. Yet today, much of this natural heritage is unrecorded, declining and under threat.

Champions for Cheshire Trees will establish a county wide network of trained community Tree Champions to record, restore and celebrate Cheshire’s most important trees and hedgerows.

Over three years, we will equip volunteers, landowners and community groups with the skills, data and local plant material needed to safeguard tree heritage for future generations, while rebuilding the culture of tree stewardship that once defined the county.

Why is this needed? / Why are we doing this?

Cheshire has a rich tree and hedgerow heritage, but much of it is at risk.

Only around 350 important trees are currently recorded across Cheshire, which represents a small fraction of the veteran, ancient and culturally important trees known and valued locally. Two-thirds of Cheshire’s hedgerows have been lost since 1976, despite the county once having more hedges than any other in England. Two-thirds of native and ancient woodland in the county has not been actively managed for wildlife or timber since the Second World War.

Traditional orchards and historic fruit varieties, once part of Cheshire’s “fruit basket” supplying Georgian and Victorian industrial cities, now survive only in scattered fragments. Many are undocumented and unmanaged.

Without urgent action, important trees, hedgerows, orchards, local genetics, wildlife value and cultural stories could be lost before they are properly recorded.

What is it going to deliver?

  • Record and protect Cheshire’s most important veteran trees, orchards and hedgerows.
  • Restore traditional skills for managing hedgerows, orchards and veteran trees.
  • Grow local provenance trees to ensure resilient future landscapes.
  • Build a sustainable, confident volunteer network championing trees across the county.
  • Celebrate tree heritage through stories, events and community engagement.

A County-Wide Network of Tree Champions:

  • Supporting at least 60 trained volunteer activists
  • Establishing 12 new community tree groups
  • Expanding and strengthening the Tree Warden network
  • Provide coordination, mentoring and peer support
  • Empowering volunteers to act as local advisors, advocates and recorders of tree heritage

Recording what matters:

  • Survey veteran, ancient and distinctive trees
  • Record historic orchards and churchyard yews
  • Map and assess hedgerows to identify restoration priorities
  • Contribute verified records to county and national databases
  • Improve evidence available for planning, protection and long-term stewardship

Restoring and Growing for the Future

  • Collect seed and cuttings from locally distinctive and historic tree varieties.
  • Establish community nurseries to grow trees with local provenance, ensuring genetic resilience.
  • Support traditional orchard creation and restoration, recording and Cheshire heritage varieties.
  • Help encourage hedgerow creation and restoration, repair and train more people in hedge laying techniques.

Supporting Landowners to Act

  • Provide practical advice on managing veteran trees, orchards and hedgerows
  • Help landowners access appropriate funding schemes
  • Support long-term stewardship and restoration
  • Encourage better management of important tree and hedgerow assets

Celebrating Cheshire’s Tree Stories

  • Research and share the social, cultural and historical stories behind local trees
  • Deliver events, walks, talks and training days
  • Reconnect communities with trees as living heritage assets
  • Build local pride and long-term stewardship
CHAMPIONS FOR CHESHIRE TREES

Estimated Cost:
£250,000–£300,000 (Over 3 Years)

Project Location:
Across Cheshire.

Area Covered:
Pan-Cheshire.
Local Authority Area:
Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Warrington.

How Long is the Programme:
Three-years.

Potential Project Partners Could Include:
The Tree Council, National Hedge laying Society, People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), CPRE, The Mersey Forest, The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), Cheshire Wildlife Trust, The Orchard Project, International Tree Foundation.
CHAMPIONS FOR CHESHIRE TREES
CHAMPIONS FOR CHESHIRE TREES
Oak Tree

Outcomes & Impact:

By the end of three years we will have:

  • Created a self‑sustaining, skilled volunteer network supporting tree stewardship across Cheshire.
  • Dramatically increased the number of recorded important trees, orchards and hedgerows.
  • Safeguarded local tree genetics through seed collection and community propagation.
  • Reintroduced traditional management skills such as hedge laying and orchard care.
  • Built stronger relationships between communities, landowners and decision‑makers.
  • Increased public awareness of trees as living heritage assets, not just landscape features.

LNRS Priorities and Actions / LNP Goals:

Champions for Cheshire Trees supports the Cheshire & Warrington Local Nature Recovery Strategy by delivering against habitat restoration, community-led action, climate resilience and nature-positive growth.

This project aligns with the following Cheshire Local Nature Partnership goals: 

Goal One

Increase contribution of nature-based solutions to address the ecological and climate crises.

Goal Two

Increase connection between people and nature including raising awareness of nature.

Goal Four

Mainstream nature recovery to ensure Cheshire becomes nature positive by 2030.

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Connecting Nature and Our Next Generation

Connecting Nature and Our Next Generation

Connecting Nature and Our Next Generation

What is it?

Nature Connect is a county-wide demonstration pilot designed to create a step-change in how people across Cheshire and Warrington access, engage with and benefit from nature-based activity.

The project responds to a growing disconnect between people, nature and health systems, despite the county already having a rich network of parks groups, wellbeing walks, community growing spaces, conservation volunteering, outdoor recreation and nature-based wellbeing activity. Many of these groups currently operate below capacity, lack visibility and are difficult for residents and health professionals to access or navigate.

Nature Connect will create the missing infrastructure between people, nature and health systems through a county-wide, quality-assured directory of nature-based opportunities, integrated mapping, coordinated communications and stronger health and care referral pathways.

The programme is designed as a scalable county model that connects environmental investment directly to measurable health, wellbeing and social outcomes.

Why is this needed? / Why are we doing this?

Health inequalities across Cheshire and Warrington remain significant, with access to nature often lowest in the communities that would benefit most.
National evidence demonstrates strong links between access to nature and improved mental health, reduced loneliness, healthier lifestyles and lower preventable mortality. A 2026 national analysis found significant improvements in wellbeing, life satisfaction and anxiety following social prescribing referrals, with an estimated social value return of approximately £9 for every £1 invested.

At the same time:

  • Nature-based groups often lack visibility and sustainable membership
  • Health and care services lack a trusted referral platform
  • Delivery remains fragmented and short term
  • Existing grassroots assets are underutilised

Nature Connect has been developed to create a shared county-wide infrastructure that supports prevention, social prescribing, environmental stewardship and long-term community resilience.

What is it going to deliver?

A Living County Directory of Nature-Based Opportunities

The programme will create:

  • A comprehensive, quality-assured county-wide directory of nature-based opportunities
  • Direct engagement with providers to assess capacity, accessibility and inclusion needs
  • Long-term self-managed listings enabling sustainable delivery
  • Improved visibility for community and environmental organisations
  • Mapping Access to Nature

The programme will deliver:

  • User-friendly mapping of accessible green and blue spaces
  • Identification of transport links and inclusive routes
  • Support for self-referral and social prescribing
  • Integration with post-hospital and adult social care pathways
  • County-Wide Awareness Campaign

The initiative will include:

  • Coordinated digital and social media campaigns
  • Professionally produced promotional film content
  • Communications materials for GP surgeries, pharmacies, libraries and public spaces
  • Public campaigns normalising nature as part of everyday health and wellbeing
  • Health and Care Integration

The programme will actively engage:

  • GP practices and Primary Care Networks
  • Adult social care teams
  • Hospital discharge pathways
  • Voluntary and community sector organisations
  • Social prescribing partners

The project aims to strengthen long-term community pathways rather than short-term isolated interventions.

Nature Connect
Chester West and Chester

Estimated Cost:
£250,000–£300,000 (Over 3 Years)

Project Location:
Across Cheshire and Warrington.

Area Covered:
County-wide nature connection, health and wellbeing infrastructure programme.
Local Authority Area:
Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Warrington.
How Long is the Programme:
Three-year demonstration pilot with long-term scalability ambitions.
Lead Partner:
Chester West and Chester
Potential Project Partners Could Include:
Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Groundwork, Public Health, University of Chester, NHS partners, Cheshire East Council, Warrington Borough Council, Active Cheshire, TCV, Canal & River Trust, Chester Zoo.

Why Invest Now?

  • Growing national focus on prevention and social prescribing
  • Strong evidence linking nature with improved health and wellbeing outcomes
  • Increasing pressure on health and care systems
  • Existing grassroots infrastructure already in place but underutilised
  • Strong alignment with LNRS, NHS and health inequality priorities
  • Opportunity to create a scalable county-wide model for nature-based engagement
  • Creates long-term social, environmental and economic value from existing natural assets
  • Strengthens the sustainability and resilience of local community organisations

Nature Connect represents an opportunity to transform how people, health systems and nature interact across Cheshire and Warrington, creating a scalable model that connects environmental recovery directly with healthier communities and long-term preventative value.

Nature Connect

Impact and Returns:

Health & Wellbeing Returns

Research evidence linked to nature-based interventions demonstrates:

  • Improved mental health and emotional wellbeing
  • Reduced loneliness and social isolation
  • Improved quality of life
  • Increased physical activity
  • Improved management of long-term conditions
  • Reduced preventable mortality
  • Increased life satisfaction and reduced anxiety

The programme also supports preventative health approaches aligned to social prescribing and community-based wellbeing models.

Social & Community Returns

  • Increased participation in nature-based activity
  • Greater connection between people and nature
  • Improved access to nature in deprived communities
  • Stronger grassroots organisations and volunteer networks
  • Increased community resilience and social cohesion
  • Improved visibility and sustainability of local groups

Environmental Returns

  • Increased stewardship of parks, waterways and natural spaces
  • Greater public support for nature recovery
  • Increased use and understanding of green and blue infrastructure
  • Stronger connection between environmental investment and lived community benefit

Economic & Strategic Returns

  • Estimated social value return of approximately £9 for every £1 invested through social prescribing
  • Reduced pressure on health and care systems through prevention pathways
  • Improved return on investment from existing community and environmental assets
  • Shared county infrastructure reducing duplication and fragmentation
  • Scalable and replicable model for future commissioning and investment

Evaluation & Evidence

The University of Chester will co-design an independent evaluation framework to assess:

  • Individual wellbeing and behaviour change
  • Long-term value of group-based nature activity
  • Sustainability and resilience of community organisations
  • Participation and access patterns
  • Impact on environmental stewardship and community resilience

The Programme Will Also Collect

  • Participation and engagement data
  • Referral pathway information
  • Community case studies
  • Volunteer and provider feedback
  • Evidence linked to health, wellbeing and prevention outcomes

LNRS Priorities and Actions / LNP Goals:

The programme directly supports the Cheshire & Warrington Local Nature Recovery Strategy through:

  • Increasing connection between people and nature
  • Supporting collaborative and joined-up delivery
  • Strengthening nature-based health and wellbeing outcomes
  • Mainstreaming nature recovery into health, education and community systems
  • Supporting urban green space and blue-green infrastructure engagement

This project aligns with the following Cheshire Local Nature Partnership goals: 

Goal One

Increase contribution of nature-based solutions to address the ecological and climate crises.

Goal Two

Increase connection between people and nature including raising awareness of nature.

Goal Four

Mainstream nature recovery to ensure Cheshire becomes nature positive by 2030.

The initiative also aligns strongly with:

  • Cheshire & Merseyside ICS prevention priorities
  • Social prescribing strategies
  • Health inequalities agendas
  • Community resilience and VCSE sustainability priorities
  • Healthy placemaking and preventative health approaches
Back to Investment Projects

GET INVOLVED

Contact the Cheshire Nature Local Partnership

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Invest in nature

Are you looking for opportunities to invest in nature or natural capital strategically across Cheshire?

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Offset your carbon impact

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Corporate opportunities for volunteering

Need corporate opportunities for volunteering or does you wish to adopt a nature recovery project or community action?

We can help you find opportunities the right opportunities across Cheshire. Contact us today to get involved in the Local Nature Partnership or to find out more.

CONTACT US

Growing Outdoor Learning in Cheshire & Warrington

Growing Outdoor Learning in Cheshire & Warrington

Growing Outdoor Learning in Cheshire & Warrington

What is it?

Growing Outdoor Learning in Cheshire & Warrington is a county-wide education and nature connection initiative designed to scale high-quality outdoor learning and Forest School practice across every primary and pre-school setting in Cheshire and Warrington over an 18–24 month period.

The programme combines headteacher advocacy, professional communications, system-wide training and partnership delivery to embed outdoor learning into the weekly curriculum rather than treating it as an optional extra.

The initiative will equip schools, teachers and early years settings with the confidence, skills and practical tools needed to integrate outdoor learning into everyday education. The programme is designed to improve attainment, wellbeing, attendance, behaviour and long-term connection to nature while also supporting wider health and environmental priorities.

Why is this needed? / Why are we doing this?

A growing body of UK and international research demonstrates that regular outdoor learning improves emotional wellbeing, resilience, behaviour, attendance, collaboration and academic performance.

Despite this evidence, many schools still lack the confidence, training, leadership buy-in or resources needed to embed outdoor learning into the curriculum consistently. At the same time, increasing mental health pressures, inequality in access to green space and reduced connection to nature are affecting children and young people across Cheshire and Warrington.

This programme has been developed to create system-wide cultural change, ensuring that outdoor learning becomes a normal and accessible part of education across the region.

What is it going to deliver?

The programme will deliver:

  • Headteacher-led Advocacy and Culture Change
  • A high-profile promotional event featuring more than 12 headteachers
  • Professionally produced film and digital communications resources
  • Leadership engagement with governors, MAT leaders and policymakers
Outdoor learning
Outdoor Learning

Estimated Cost:
£350,000 (Over 12-18 Months)

Project Location:
Across Cheshire and Warrington.

Area Covered:
County-wide programme reaching primary and pre-school settings across Cheshire and Warrington.

Local Authority Area:
Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Warrington.
How Long is the Programme:
18–24 months initial delivery period with long-term system change ambitions.
Project Partners:
Cheshire West and Chester Council, Edsential, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Specialist outdoor learning providers.

Why Invest Now?

  • Strong evidence base demonstrating educational and wellbeing impact
  • Increasing demand for preventative health and wellbeing approaches
  • Growing national focus on nature connection and outdoor learning
  • Opportunity to create system-wide educational culture change
  • Strong alignment with LNRS, health and education priorities
  • Long-term preventative value for public services and communities

County-wide Outdoor Learning Partnership

The ambition is for every primary and pre-school in Cheshire and Warrington to understand, explore and access outdoor learning opportunities.

A coordinated partnership involving:

  • Cheshire West and Chester Council
  • Edsential
  • Cheshire Wildlife Trust
  • Specialist outdoor learning providers

The partnership will coordinate:

  • Training pathways
  • Resource sharing
  • Peer-learning networks
  • Risk-managed delivery approaches
  • Capacity building across schools

Training and Support

Over 18–24 months the programme will provide:

  • Entry-level and advanced outdoor learning training
  • Curriculum-aligned teaching resources
  • Support for schools with limited green space
  • Forest School and outdoor learning development
  • Exemplar school networks
  • Support reaching thousands of pupils and hundreds of staff

Impact and Returns:

Education & Wellbeing Returns

Research evidence linked to outdoor learning demonstrates:

  • Improved behaviour, mood and cooperation
  • Increased resilience and emotional regulation
  • Improved academic attainment
  • Better attendance and engagement
  • Enhanced school readiness and concentration
  • Improved physical activity and healthier lifestyles

The programme also supports mental health resilience at a time when approximately 1 in 5 children in England has a probable mental health condition.

Evaluation & Demonstrating Impact

The initiative will include a proportionate local evaluation framework measuring:

  • Time outdoors
  • Attendance and engagement
  • Wellbeing indicators
  • Parent and practitioner feedback
  • Participation from priority neighbourhoods
  • Improvements to local green space
  • Repeat participation and community engagement
  • Environmental enhancement through before-and-after evidence

Environmental & Nature Connection Returns

  •  Increased access to nature for children and families
  • Stronger long-term environmental stewardship
  • Greater connection between young people and the natural environment
  • Increased use and understanding of green infrastructure

Social & Strategic Returns

  • Helps address inequalities in access to green space
  • Reduces long-term pressure on public services
  • Supports healthier and more sustainable places
  • Creates a county-wide culture of nature-based learning

LNRS Priorities and Actions / LNP Goals:

The programme directly supports the Cheshire & Warrington Local Nature Recovery Strategy through:

  • Increasing connection between people and nature
  • Supporting nature-based solutions
  • Mainstreaming nature recovery into education and community settings
  • Supporting healthier and greener places

This project aligns with the following Cheshire Local Nature Partnership goals: 

Goal One

Increase contribution of nature-based solutions to address the ecological and climate crises.

Goal Two

Increase connection between people and nature including raising awareness of nature.

Goal Four

Mainstream nature recovery to ensure Cheshire becomes nature positive by 2030.

The initiative also aligns strongly with:

  • Health and wellbeing strategies
  • Starting Well priorities
  • Educational recovery
  • Mental health resilience
  • Healthy placemaking agendas
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GET INVOLVED

Contact the Cheshire Nature Local Partnership

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Offset your carbon impact

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Corporate opportunities for volunteering

Need corporate opportunities for volunteering or does you wish to adopt a nature recovery project or community action?

We can help you find opportunities the right opportunities across Cheshire. Contact us today to get involved in the Local Nature Partnership or to find out more.

CONTACT US

Natural Health Service

Natural Health Service

Natural Health Service

What is it?

The Natural Health Service is a nature-based health and wellbeing programme operating across Cheshire West, using the natural environment to support mental health, physical wellbeing and social resilience.

The programme delivers evidence-based services that use access to nature and green infrastructure as part of a holistic approach to health and social care. Activities include health walks, horticultural therapy, mindful contact with nature, healthy conservation and forest school programmes.

The initiative works with the NHS, local authorities and community organisations to embed nature-based interventions into wider wellbeing and preventative healthcare approaches.

Why is this needed? / Why are we doing this?

There is growing evidence linking access to nature with improved mental health, physical wellbeing and reduced social isolation.

At the same time, health and care systems are facing increasing pressure, creating demand for preventative, community-based approaches that improve wellbeing while reducing long-term health inequalities.

The Natural Health Service has been developed to strengthen connections between people and nature while supporting healthier communities and greater use of green infrastructure as part of public health delivery.

The programme also helps raise awareness of the role nature can play in improving quality of life and community resilience.

What is it going to deliver?

The programme will deliver:

  • Nature-based health and wellbeing services
  • Health walks and outdoor wellbeing activities
  • Horticultural therapy programmes
  • Mindful contact with nature initiatives
  • Healthy conservation activities
  • Forest school programmes
  • Greater access to nature for communities
  • Improved mental and physical wellbeing outcomes
  • Stronger community resilience and social connection
  • Increased integration of green infrastructure within health and care approaches

The programme aims to create healthier, more connected communities through increased engagement with nature.

Landscape Placeholder
Mersey Forest
Estimated Cost:
£400,000, with match funding from the NHS and Public Health.
Project Location:
Cheshire West and Chester.
Area Covered:
Community-based health and wellbeing programme across Cheshire West and Chester.

Local Authority Area:
Cheshire West and Chester.

How Long is the Programme:
Continuous Programme.

Lead Partner:

Mersey Forest
Project Partners:
Networks for Nature Partnership, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire West Voluntary Action.

Why Invest Now?

  • Growing evidence linking nature with health and wellbeing outcomes
  • Increasing demand for preventative health interventions
  • Strong alignment with public health and wellbeing priorities
  • Opportunity to reduce long-term pressure on health services
  • Demonstrates the social value of green infrastructure investment
  • Supports healthier, more resilient communities through nature-based solutions

Impact and Returns:

Health & Wellbeing Returns

  • Improved mental health and emotional wellbeing
  • Increased physical activity and healthier lifestyles
  • Reduced social isolation and loneliness
  • Greater community resilience and social connection
  • Preventative health benefits linked to access to nature

Social & Community Returns

  • Increased participation in nature-based activities
  • Greater awareness of the value of green infrastructure
  • Improved community access to natural environments
  • Stronger links between environmental and health organisations

Strategic Returns

  • Supports preventative health and social care approaches
  • Aligns with wider public health and wellbeing priorities
  • Demonstrates the value of nature-based health interventions
  • Strengthens integration between nature recovery and health systems

LNRS Priorities and Actions / LNP Goals:

This project aligns with the following Cheshire Local Nature Partnership goals: 

Goal Two

Increase connection between people and nature including raising awareness of nature.

U1

Green and blue wildlife corridors between urban and rural Cheshire and Warrington

NBS1

Nature, people and economy thriving through more, bigger, better and more joined up Green and Blue Infrastructure

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GET INVOLVED

Contact the Cheshire Nature Local Partnership

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Invest in nature

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Offset your carbon impact

Need to offset your carbon impact locally or acquire Biodiversity Net Gain units for development and large infrastructure projects?

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Corporate opportunities for volunteering

Need corporate opportunities for volunteering or does you wish to adopt a nature recovery project or community action?

We can help you find opportunities the right opportunities across Cheshire. Contact us today to get involved in the Local Nature Partnership or to find out more.

CONTACT US

Catchment Scale River Health Monitoring

Catchment Scale River Health Monitoring

Catchment Scale River Health Monitoring

What is it?

Catchment Scale River Health Monitoring is a collaborative environmental monitoring programme designed to improve understanding, management and long-term resilience of river systems across Cheshire and Warrington.

Building on a successful pilot programme on the River Bollin, the initiative will establish a coordinated catchment-wide monitoring framework bringing together environmental organisations, local authorities, volunteers and technical partners to monitor river health and water quality across multiple catchments.

The programme includes development of a shared data portal, monitoring equipment investment, laboratory analysis capacity, volunteer coordination and specialist data analysis resources.

The initiative aims to improve evidence-led decision making while increasing public engagement with river health and catchment resilience.

Why is this needed? / Why are we doing this?

Healthy rivers are essential natural infrastructure assets supporting biodiversity, water resilience, climate adaptation and local economies.

Across Cheshire, there is growing need for better coordinated river monitoring, improved data availability and stronger understanding of pollution pressures and ecological condition.

Current monitoring systems are often fragmented, limiting the ability to respond effectively to environmental pressures and improve long-term catchment management.

This programme has been developed to create a coordinated, evidence-led monitoring network that strengthens environmental resilience while engaging communities and volunteers directly in river stewardship.

What is it going to deliver?

The programme will deliver:

  • Collaborative catchment-wide river monitoring
  • Shared environmental data portal linking datasets across Cheshire
  • Monitoring equipment and technical infrastructure
  • Volunteer coordination and citizen science programmes
  • Laboratory analysis support
  • Dedicated data analyst resource
  • Improved river health evidence and reporting
  • Greater public awareness of water quality and catchment health
  • Better informed catchment management and investment decisions
  • Stronger collaboration between environmental stakeholders

The programme will operate across river catchments throughout Cheshire and Warrington.

River
Environment Agency
Mersey Rivers

Estimated Cost:
£450,000

Project Location:
Across Cheshire and Warrington catchments.
Area Covered:
Pan-Cheshire river monitoring and catchment management programme.
Local Authority Area:
Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Warrington.
How Long is the Programme:
Continuous programme.

Lead Partner:

Environment Agency
Mersey Rivers
Project Partners:
Angling Trust, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire East Council, Warrington Borough Council, Mersey Forest, Canal & River Trust, United Utilities.

Why Invest Now?

  • Increasing national focus on river health and water resilience
  • Growing need for coordinated environmental data and monitoring
  • Supports evidence-led investment and catchment management
  • Strong partnership infrastructure already in place
  • Enables long-term environmental accountability and resilience
  • Creates scalable monitoring systems supporting future investment and policy delivery

Impact and Returns:

Environmental Returns

  • Improved river health monitoring and ecological understanding
  • Better identification of pollution pressures and catchment risks
  • Enhanced protection for priority river species
  • Improved evidence for water resilience and restoration interventions
  • Stronger long-term environmental management

Species & Biodiversity Returns

The programme supports monitoring and protection for species including:

  • European water vole
  • Atlantic salmon
  • White-clawed freshwater crayfish
  • Mud snail

Strategic & Infrastructure Returns

  • Shared data infrastructure for Cheshire catchments
  • Improved evidence base for investment and policy decisions
  • Greater integration between organisations and monitoring programmes
  • Support for nature-based solutions and pollution reduction strategies

Social & Community Returns

  • Increased public participation in river stewardship
  • Volunteer and citizen science engagement
  • Improved awareness of river health and water resilience

LNRS Priorities and Actions / LNP Goals:

This project aligns with the following Cheshire Local Nature Partnership goals: 

Goal One

Increase contribution of nature-based solutions to address the ecological and climate crises.

Goal Two

Increase connection between people and nature including raising awareness of nature.

WA2

The whole river catchment, from source to sea, functions as naturally as possible

WA3

Our estuaries are restored for nature and safeguarded by local communities

NBS2

Improved biodiversity by mitigating specific sources of pollution

NBS3

Better functioning watercourses for nature, people and a thriving economy

Back to Investment Projects

GET INVOLVED

Contact the Cheshire Nature Local Partnership

>

Invest in nature

Are you looking for opportunities to invest in nature or natural capital strategically across Cheshire?

R

Offset your carbon impact

Need to offset your carbon impact locally or acquire Biodiversity Net Gain units for development and large infrastructure projects?

}

Corporate opportunities for volunteering

Need corporate opportunities for volunteering or does you wish to adopt a nature recovery project or community action?

We can help you find opportunities the right opportunities across Cheshire. Contact us today to get involved in the Local Nature Partnership or to find out more.

CONTACT US

River School and Blue Influencer Programme

River School and Blue Influencer Programme

River School and Blue Influencer Programme

What is it?

The River School and Blue Influencer Programme is a youth engagement, education and environmental action initiative focused on empowering young people aged 11–18 to improve river health, water management and nature recovery across Cheshire catchments.

Building on successful work delivered in Greater Manchester, the programme will work with schools, colleges, youth organisations and community groups to deliver practical, place-based environmental projects that connect young people with rivers, estuaries and blue-green infrastructure.

Projects will combine education, practical action and skills development, enabling young people to participate directly in activities such as habitat restoration, rain garden creation, sustainable drainage interventions, river stewardship and green skills training.

The programme will include a dedicated Blue Influencer coordination role alongside funding for local projects and community-led environmental action.

Why is this needed? / Why are we doing this?

Young people are increasingly aware of environmental challenges but often lack opportunities, resources and support to take meaningful action within their local communities.

At the same time, rivers and estuaries across Cheshire face growing pressure from pollution, climate change and habitat degradation, creating a need for stronger public awareness, stewardship and future environmental leadership.

The programme has been developed to create long-term behavioural change by connecting young people directly with nature recovery and water resilience projects in their local catchments.

The initiative also supports future green skills development and strengthens pathways into environmental careers and community leadership.

What is it going to deliver?

The programme will deliver:

  • Youth-led river and estuary improvement projects
  • Engagement with schools, colleges, youth organisations and community groups
  • Education and awareness activity focused on healthy rivers and water management
  • Practical habitat restoration and nature recovery projects
  • Sustainable drainage and rain garden interventions
  • Green skills development and environmental training
  • Increased participation in conservation and stewardship
  • Improved understanding of river catchments and water resilience
  • Greater youth leadership in environmental action
  • Long-term community stewardship of blue-green infrastructure

 The programme will operate across the Weaver-Gowy, Bollin to Mersey and Dee catchments.

River young people
Mersey Rivers

Estimated Cost:
£500,000

Project Location:
Weaver-Gowy catchment, Bollin to Mersey catchment, Dee catchment.

Area Covered:
Multi-catchment youth engagement and river stewardship programme across Cheshire.
Local Authority Area:
Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Warrington.
How Long is the Programme:
3 Years.

Lead Partner:

Mersey Rivers
Project Partners:
Networks for Nature Partnership, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Canal & River Trust.

Why Invest Now?

  • Growing demand for environmental education and green skills
  • Opportunity to build future environmental leadership
  • Strong alignment with LNRS, water resilience and youth engagement priorities
  • Scalable catchment-wide model with proven foundations
  • Supports long-term stewardship of blue-green infrastructure
  • Creates visible social and environmental value across Cheshire catchments

Impact and Returns:

Environmental Returns

  • Improved awareness and stewardship of rivers and estuaries
  • Increased community-led habitat and water management interventions
  • Support for healthier watercourses and estuaries
  • Enhanced blue-green infrastructure connectivity

Social & Educational Returns

  • Direct engagement with young people aged 11–18
  • Increased connection between people and nature
  • Development of future environmental leadership and green skills
  • Greater awareness of climate resilience and water management
  • Increased participation in local environmental action

Strategic Returns

  • Long-term behavioural and cultural change around water stewardship
  • Strong alignment with LNRS and environmental education priorities
  • Scalable model for youth-led catchment engagement
  • Support for future environmental workforce development

LNRS Priorities and Actions / LNP Goals:

This project aligns with the following Cheshire Local Nature Partnership goals: 

Goal Two

Increase connection between people and nature including raising awareness of nature.

WA1

Healthier and resilient watercourses with more abundant native wildlife

WA2

The whole river catchment, from source to sea, functions as naturally as possible

WA3

Our estuaries are restored for nature and safeguarded by local communities

U1

Green and blue wildlife corridors between urban and rural Cheshire and Warrington

NBS1

Nature, people and economy thriving through more, bigger, better and more joined up Green and Blue Infrastructure

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