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With several weeks of winter still to come, The Land Trust and United Utilities are encouraging people to get out and reap the benefits of the great outdoors by paying a visit to Port Sunlight River Park.
The park, a former landfill site on the banks of the River Mersey, hosts the Land Trust’s Green Angels project. With funding from the United Utilities Catchment Systems Thinking (CaST) Account, the project has been holding free workshops, walks and more since winter 2021.
Last summer, pupils from Grove Street Primary School in Rock Ferry visited the park to explore the local waterways and go on bug hunts to find out what kinds of creatures call the water their home. A family summer day also brought children and adults together for mindfulness sessions, guided walks, treasure hunts and craft activities.
Practical sessions during the past few months have focused on scything, traditional meadow management, hedge-laying and fencing, and working with The Friends of Port Sunlight River Park to develop an area known as The Oasis, so that it can become a more welcoming space for visitors.
Activities are continuing during January and February, giving children and adults all sorts of opportunities to get out and enjoy the natural world around them.
Coming up are:
Full details can be found at www.facebook.com/psriverpark/
Mary Breeze, Green Angels Project Officer at The Land Trust, said, “It may be a bit chilly outside but it is still an ideal time to be in nature and explore the world around us.
“It’s a particularly good time for bird watching, so we have two sessions to help people learn about our feathered friends, and there’s plenty to do to care for the park at this time of year, so we’d love some extra pairs of hands in our reedbed management course.
“So many people enjoyed our sessions over the summer, so as we enter 2023 why not make a commitment to get outdoors more this year, starting at Port Sunlight River Park!”
Jo Harrison, Director of Environment, Planning and Innovation at United Utilities, said, “It’s great that our CaST funding is supporting the Green Angels to continue their fantastic array of activities over the winter, giving people the chance to socialise while they learn about and help care for this wonderful green space.
“While the days are shorter and darker getting outdoors can be a real boost for our physical and mental health, and we hope many people will make the most of the sessions on offer over the next few weeks.”
Image: Hedge-laying and fencing with The Friends of Port Sunlight River Park
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