Get back to nature this February with the countryside rangers

Residents are being encouraged to get their hands dirty and their walking boots on this month and take part in a variety of ‘green’ events throughout the borough.

Rochdale Council’s countryside rangers have a full programme of walks, workshops and woodland management activities planned to celebrate ‘Woodland Community Month’.

The aim of the events is to offer to those wanting to learn more about the borough’s wildlife and environment the opportunity to actively get involved and visit the nature on their doorstep.

The programme includes guided walks through the Roch Valley, a tree identification afternoon at Hollingworth Lake and a woodland management morning in Alkrington Woods.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for environment and sustainability on Rochdale Borough Council said: “The borough has so much natural beauty on offer and we hope that as many people as possible will come along to one of our organised events and explore these beauty spots first hand.”

From Thursday 5 February there will also be an exhibition on display in the Visitor Centre at Hollingworth Lake detailing the work of the Countryside Rangers and the Green Volunteers.

Beth Sutcliffe, Countryside Ranger at Hollingworth Lake said: “The exhibition will provide an insight into the important work we do to care for the borough’s wildlife and environment. The display will be informative, educational and most importantly, interactive, and we hope to see lots of families come along and visit us.”

For everything that is happening in Rochdale this month, check the Rochdale Online events diary:

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/


Full programme of nature events:

Saturday 7 February

Woodland Management
Join the Countryside Rangers for an introduction to woodland management techniques. Limited places so booking essential.
1:00pm at Hollingworth Lake Visitors Centre
3 hours

Sunday 8 February

Tree ID
A beginner’s guide to tree identification. Book a place at the visitors centre.
1:30pm at Hollingworth Lake Country Park
2-3 hours

Roch Valley Walk (Easy)
Join Ranger David Hogg on his first stroll of the new year.
1:00pm at Queens Park Car Park 31/2 miles
2 hours

Sunday 15 February

Shawfield Circuit (Medium)
Circular walk from Healey Dell with Ranger Richard Whittle. Bring a packed lunch.
10:30am at Station Road Car Parks 6 miles
4 hours

Saturday 21 February

Summit Circular
A guided walk around the Summit area taking in two of Rochdale Borough Council’s countryside woodland sites: Summit Quarry and Calderbrook Terrace, as well as Groundwork’s Summit Railway Side Site. Learn about the sites and find out about points of interest along the way.
11:00am at Summit Quarry Car Park
2-3 hours

Sunday 22 February 

Woodland Management in Alkrington Woods
Help the Rangers carry out some essential woodland management and learn new skills at the same time.
10:00am at Lever Bridge, Alkrington Woods
2 hours