All across Greater Manchester groups of people that wanted to do something positive to help their local environment have been getting busy through dozens of ‘green’ projects that are making a difference to local environments.

The lucky groups won their cash from Greening Greater Manchester (GGM), a scheme funded by Biffaward, a multi-million pound environment fund which uses landfill tax credits to support worthwhile environmental projects across the UK.  Managed by Groundwork, GGM has awarded almost £4.7 million to help hundreds of dreams to become a reality over the past decade.   

In just the borough of Manchester, projects include:

• Improving access and signage to open Nan Nook Woodlands in Wythenshawe to new visitors and school parties;
• developing a strip of wasteland next to the Addy Young People’s Centre, also in Wythenshawe, where local youngsters can grow  and harvest their own fruit and vegetables;
  
• developing new links between allotment holders and the local community around Gorton Reservoirs Allotments as new facilities are developed;
  
• helping volunteers work on the pond at Brookdale Park, making it a better site for visitors and an educational resource for local schools;
  
• practical works to improve the new nature reserve at Highfield Country Park and helping clean up the Parkwood area between Sharston and Wythenshawe, repairing footpaths and discouraging anti-social behaviour.  
  

Two Greater Manchester initiatives have been developed.  Oldham, Tameside and Manchester have joined forces to develop the Medlock Valley Way to link the Pennine Moors with Manchester City Centre and the Green Tips project will continue its development of a number of former landfill sites to create attractive and useful community spaces.    

A delighted Chairman of Biffaward, Martin Bettington, said: “GGM aims to support local projects that are particularly innovative, of lasting community and environmental benefit and improve quality of life. Aftercare and long-term management is vital and GGM has always encouraged schemes that make the project a long-term asset.  This year has been another great success!”

Ian MacArthur, Regional Director, Groundwork Northwest said: “Green spaces are incredibly important to local community wellbeing. Groundwork is all about projects that make a real difference in local neighbourhoods, so we’re delighted to have played a part in developing some exciting ideas.”

Greening Greater Manchester has awarded funding for 2007/8 as follows.