National Lottery Heritage Grants £10,000 to £250,000
Now a densely populated suburb, Moss Side was once an area of criss-crossing rivers, bog and wetland.
These important ecosystems with distinct flora and fauna are critically endangered. In Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside, they were largely drained for peat extraction, agriculture and urban and industrial development.
Some mosslands still exist to the west of the city, such as at Chat Moss – but only 2% of the habitat remains, and climate change means that the mosslands continue to be at risk.
This two-year project will engage with communities to create wetlands, ponds, moss gardens, wet woodlands and sustainable urban drainage systems. This natural and purpose-built blue infrastructure will help to absorb rainwater, filter pollutants and mitigate flooding.
Other project activities include:
- mapping existing blue infrastructure areas in Moss Side, using Manchester City Council Archives’ maps and photographs
- community and schools workshops on Moss Side's natural history, including bioblitzes, pond dipping and moss art
- new wetland areas at Claremont Road Primary School and in other Moss Side community spaces
- a leaflet sharing common moss identification, the importance of mossland and wetland habitats and how to recreate habitats at home
- exhibitions at Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse and Manchester Central Library
Discover findings and more information about the project on the Sow the City website.
