Groundwork

Blackley Forest Community Project

Countryscape has worked closely with the Friends of Blackley Forest (North Manchester) in helping them to interpret and promote their Local Nature Reserve. The forest itself has long been valued by the community – it was planted in 1953 as one of the country’s first community woodlands and is now registered as a Site of Biological Importance.

This work involved the production of a walking map leaflet, outdoor banner and pop-up display, for promotional use by the Friends. The aim was help promote the forest as resource for both recreation and education, drawing attention to the wide range of events and activities being organised by local people (such as bird- and bat-watching, health walks, bug hunts, fishing, etc). The finished materials were well received by the Friends and formed part of a BBC Breathing Places event in Manchester, June 2007.