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News

Get involved with The Oaks at 80 project

08 November 2024

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We've recently launched the Oaks at 80 project which will mark 80 years since the end of World War II with the planting of Oak trees throughout our communities in the Mersey Forest.

Oak trees have traditionally marked 80-year milestones and oak trees also embody strength, resilience and longevity - virtues that resonate deeply with the sacrifices made during World War II and the hopeful spirit of peace that followed.

This project aims to establish a commemorative programme cenred on creating a lasting legacy of Oaks planted in new woodlands and as civic trees commemorating the sacrifices of so many military and civilian people in our area.

The team are launching the project during remembrance weekend, with oak trees being handed out to the community at Calderstone Park in Liverpool on Saturday, 9th November from 11am to 4pm. Find us outside Calderstone Mansion House in the park. 

There are a range of activities taking place throughout the day, including crafts, storytelling and tours - find out more:  Schools have also been encouraged to get involved and collect seeds this autumn to grow on to be planted in our communities to help continue to grow the Mersey Forest. These can be any tree seeds and there are lots of resources about seed gathering on the Tree Council's website.

It's a great opportunity to get out in nature, learn about the benefit of trees and play your part to commemorate the end of World War II, whilst helping to grow the Mersey Forest for future generations to enjoy.

Growing your collected seeds

To grow your seeds, the whole class can collectively plant the collected seeds and look after them through winter, before potting them in spring for us to collect and grow on.

All you'll need is:
  • A couple of large planting pots or a builder's bucket
  • Soil or peat free compost
  • Sharp sand
  • Plastic tray
  • Paper or hessian bag
  • Small bucket
  • Wire mesh
  • Plastic plant pots or large yogurt pots
See The Tree Council's guide for how to gather and plant your seeds.

Follow up activity

The Mersey Forest plant thousands of trees each year and we would love to plant the trees that you have grown. Following The Tree Council's guide, in spring, when you check to see if your seed have germinated, rather than planting your seeds in the ground why not let us plant them for you at a site somewhere within the Mersey Forest. If you would like to be involved in this stage simply follow the stages below and get in contact. We'll then let you know details of a local drop off point to take your saplings for us to grown on for the following winters' planting season.
  1. Collect and gather large yogurt pots or large plastic containers and put some small holes in the bottom. Fill these with two-part peat free compost and one-part sharp sand mix and make a hole in the middle of the soil with your finger
  2. Empty your seeds from their large pot and find the ones that have roots or a shoot on them and put them in hole you've made in the soil
  3. Cover the acorn lightly with soil and gentle press it down before watering thoroughly
  4. Put the pots back against a cold north facing wall to germinate further, keep them well watered while they carry on growing
  5. Once you have all your seeds potted on, contact us and we will let you know where you can drop them off locally for us to grow them on to be planted in the next winter season.

Treemendous trees!

Trees give us clean air to breathe, provide homes for wildlife and help tackle climate change. In our communities, trees cool our streets, reduce flooding by soaking up rainwater and make our neighbourhoods more beautiful places to live and work. By planting and caring for trees, we're making the world a healthier, greener place for everyone.

As well as collecting seeds this autumn you could also incorporate some fantastic stories about trees into your learning.

Discover the wonder of trees: Recommended books

Explore the magic of trees through these captivating books, tailored to inspire pupils of all ages.

Primary age recommended:

  • The Lorax by Dr. Seuss – This classic tale highlights the importance of trees, showing the devastating effects of a world without them. It encourages us to care enough to make a positive change for the planet.
  • The Oak Tree by Julia Donaldson – Follow the life of an oak tree, from a tiny seed to its final moments, as it witnesses the world change around it. A beautiful story about the importance of trees in our environment.
  • The Promise by Nicola Davies – This powerful story of a young girl and a bag of stolen acorns shows how even small actions, like planting a tree, can bring hope and transform communities for generations to come.

Secondary school in-depth reading:

  • The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono – This short story illustrates how one person's daily dedication to planting trees can transform both their life and the world around them.
  • The Wild Trees by Richard Preston – Discover the true story of a man who climbed one of the world's tallest trees and became captivated by trees, dedicating his life to their study.
  • Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees by Roger Deakin – A global journey to understand humanity's deep connection with trees, exploring the natural and spiritual significance they hold.

Prompting thought:

  • Belonging by Jeannie Baker – Through stunning illustrations, this wordless picture book shows how trees can transform a neighbourhood and brighten our world with the changing seasons.
Encourage your students to delve into these stories and discover the vital role trees play in our lives, sparking curiosity, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for nature!

Further reading incorporating trees:

  • Tree by Britta Teckentrup
  • The Magic and Mystery of Trees – RHS
  • Meetings with Remarkable Trees
  • The Night Life of Trees - Tara Books
  • The Hidden Life of Trees – Peter Wohlleben
  • The Tree: meaning and myth – Frances Carey
  • Magic Faraway Tree collection - Enid Blyton
  • 13 Storey Treehouse books
  • How to be more Tree - Annie Davidson
  • Leaf by Niggle – Prof JRR Tolkien

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Green light for new woodland near Lunt village

08 November 2024

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National Trust Press Release

  • Plans to create a new green haven for people and nature in Sefton have received a boost as the National Trust purchase 78 hectares of land near Lunt village.
  • The National Trust and its partners will create new woodland and wetland habitats, preserving and protecting the land for nature and the local community.
  • Approximately 91,000 trees will be planted between January and March 2025.
  • The new woodland areas will provide local communities with opportunities to connect with nature close to home, improving access to green space across the site.
  • The project will be delivered in partnership with organisations including the Environment Agency, Forestry England, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Sefton Council and has been made possible with the support of The Mersey Forest, who are helping to fund the purchase of the site through their "Trees For Climate" programme, part of Defra's Nature for Climate fund. 

Plans to create new woodlands and more diverse, nature-rich, habitats for nature like wetlands and species rich grassland in Sefton received a boost with the news the National Trust have purchased 78 hectares of disused farmland from Sefton Council. 
 
Lunt's name derives from an old Norse term meaning "grove" or "copse", likely referring to an ancient forest that was in the area when the village was first settled. The project will build on recent work from partners to help nature flourish once more in the area.  
 
Approximately 91,000 trees will be planted to create new areas of forest that will connect existing pockets of woodland and wetlands. This new green haven will increase access to green spaces for local people and provide habitats for wildlife from birds to insects, to native plants and even perhaps red squirrels. 
 
The project will be partly funded through The Mersey Forest's Trees for Climate programme. Trees are one of our most powerful tools in mitigating climate change. As new woodland develops and matures it locks up carbon in soils and timber, as well as intercepting rainfall which can help to reduce flood risk and reduce water pollution. 
 
Justin Matthews, Area Ranger for the National Trust, said, "Whilst the landscape around Lunt looks quite green, much of it is private farmland and not currently accessible. Securing this land gives us a brilliant opportunity to create more diverse habitat alongside our partners, enabling nature to flourish in the area. We know that people feel much more connected to nature when they can get out into it close to home, and that connectedness makes a huge difference to health and wellbeing."
 
Sophie Bray, Trees and Woodlands Manager at The Mersey Forest, said, "The Mersey Forest is pleased to be supporting the project at Lunt, providing funding through our Trees for Climate programme to help create woodlands and diverse habitats that will benefit both people and nature. Lunt has been a key strategic site identified in our Forest Plan. Through our successful partnership with National Trust, Sefton Council, Forestry Commission, Forestry England, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Natural England and the Environment Agency we've reached this key milestone in the project and are excited to be one step closer to establishing a new woodland in this area." 
 
Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said, "I am delighted to see the sale of land from Sefton Council to the National Trust complete. The report presented to cabinet demonstrated how the sale would positively impact the area's biodiversity and increase the area's ability to capture carbon from new woodland planting and wetland creation. And equally, it will benefit local people in Sefton who will gain a new site to enjoy and spend time in nature." 
 
John Deakin, the National Trust head of Trees and Woodland, said, "We are one of Europe's least wooded nations, yet these spaces are vital in our response to the biodiversity and climate crises. As the National Trust, we're keen to play our part by supporting woodland creation projects near places where people live, helping biodiversity recovery and climate mitigation but also providing opportunities for people to access nature close to home" 
 
The planting is due to take place between January and March 2025. The National Trust is hoping to invite members of the public to join them on a community planting day in spring 2025, giving locals the opportunity to get close to nature. Details are still to be confirmed, but information will be available online when available. 
 
To find out more, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/liverpool-lancashire/formby/whats-happening-at-lunt.

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Scary fungi lurking in the Forest this Halloween...

30 October 2024

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Dead Mens Fingers by Lutz Koch
As Halloween approaches, our woodlands fill with strange, other worldly lifeforms. Neither plant nor animal, some appear almost supernatural. Find out more about some of the scary fungi you may encounter in the woods of the Mersey Forest...

Fungi don't possess chlorophyll so unlike green plants they can't produce their own food. Instead they secrete enzymes which liquify their food source and in the process cause rot and decay. In woodlands they feed mainly on leaves and wood but that is not all. And some of what is going on is really unpleasant!

 

The body snatcher

scarlet-caterpillar_1.jpg

 

It's not easy to find but occasionally you can come across a small orange club fungus with a pitted surface up to 5cm high (above). If you were to carefully dig down under the fungus you would find it is attached to the pupa or larva of a butterfly or moth.

 

The insect has been attacked by the fungus which mummifies it, keeping it alive long enough to feed on its body. Once the fungus has built up sufficient energy it bursts out of the insect's body to produce the club which will generate more spores. The Scarlet Caterpillar Fungus is like something out of science fiction except it's for real and living somewhere near you!

 

Dead men's fingers 

deadmensfingers.jpg

 

Around the base of old and rotting tree stumps you may come across groups of black and contorted small stumpy fungi (above and top). These are Dead Man's Fingers. It's as if rotting hands are trying to escape from the soil where they have been buried.

 

Weeping Widows

weeping_widows.jpg

 

Perhaps nearby you'll find a collection of mournful Weeping Widows (above). These are toadstools with dark brown gills. Black watery droplets collect on the gills like tears. 

 

Jelly, butter or brains?

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black_witches_butter.jpg

 

Dead wood and twigs are usually good hunting grounds for fungi. Some of these are jelly like with lots of folds and contortions bursting out of the wood. A bright yellow one is the Yellow Brain Fungus and a darker black species is Black Witches Butter (both above).

 

Ghostly lights

Sometimes people report strange pale green-blue glowing lights in the woods. A cold, supernatural fire - thought to be ghosts or faeries, and often called 'foxfire'. In reality it's down to a phenomenon where some fungi glow in the dark.

 

The most frequent reports of glowing wood relate to honey fungus. It seems that the fungal light results when a chemical rich in phosphorus combines with oxygen in the presence of an enzyme. 

 

The kingdom of the fungi contains all sorts of fascinating things. Take a wander through your local woodland and check them out - if you dare... 

 

Images: Thanks to Lutz Koch, Vik Nanda, gailhampshire, David Evans

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City celebrates unique green awards hat-trick

15 October 2024

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Urban GreenUP plants
Liverpool has scored a unique treble at a major international climate change awards ceremony.

Liverpool City Council's Urban GreenUP project, which was recently shortlisted for a world Green City Award, won big at the CIRIA 2024 Big Biodiversity Awards.
Held in London, the city's innovative nature-based solution programme secured awards in the following categories:
  • CIRIA Innovation Award
  • CIRIA Habitat Creation Project of the Year Award
  • CIRIA Biodiversity Overall Winner
The EU-funded programme, which has introduced urban raingardens, green walls and pollinators posts around the city centre as well as a number of floating islands in the city's docks and parks, was also Highly Commended in the 'Living Green for Climate Change' category at the World Green City Awards 2024 held in Utrecht.

Urban GreenUP, which involves a collaboration between the Council, the Mersey Forest and the University of Liverpool, has set a number of goals to mitigate climate change impact on Liverpool, such as enhancing air quality, reducing flooding risks, improving water management, and increasing urban sustainability.
 
Leader of Liverpool City Council, Cllr Liam Robison, who is Cabinet Lead for Climate Change and Net Zero, said: "I'm extremely proud to say I think our city is heading in a great direction in how we tackle the impacts of climate change. I hope the rest of the country follows in our path and we can all make amazing changes together."

Dr. Juliet Staples, Senior Project Manager Urban GreenUP, Liverpool City Council said: "It has been a privilege to lead this project. The recognition we have received reflects the hard work and dedication of our teams and partners, and we are excited about the positive impact Urban GreenUP will continue to have on our city."

Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, added, "We're thrilled that the Urban GreenUP project continues to be recognised as innovative both nationally and internationally. Using nature-based solutions to regenerate urban areas is vital for creating thriving communities, supporting our local economy, and helping us adapt to our changing climate.

"This was very much a partnership project, and we're thankful to Liverpool City Council for showing leadership, as well as to the University of Liverpool and the range of contractors involved. We look forward to continuing the Mersey Forest Plan in Liverpool, with new projects already planned for this year."

For more information go to:

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Celebrating 30 years of The Mersey Forest

15 October 2024

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Mersey Forest at 30 - Paul Nolan, Lady Redmond, Cllr Gittins, John Handley, Prof Eunice Simmons
The Mersey Forest is celebrating a milestone anniversary 30 years after the first forest plan was developed for the area.

Partners and friends of the forest came together last week at the University of Chester to celebrate the occasion and reflect on how the Mersey Forest partnership has been instrumental in transforming the landscape of Merseyside and Cheshire over the last three decades. 

The Mersey Forest is the area's Community Forest, covering all of Merseyside and Cheshire, and is one of the original Community Forests created across England. There are now 15 Community Forests across the country which are all made up of a mix of community woodland, private woodland, urban trees and greenspaces, wooded habitat corridors and hedgerows.  

The Mersey Forest Partnership, which includes local authorities, national agencies, non-governmental organisations and the community, is the driving force behind the Mersey Forest, working in partnership with The Mersey Forest team in developing the Forest Plan which sets the direction for the organisation. 

The Mersey Forest is focused around local communities with projects, large and small, touching the lives of many. Some of the achievements of the forest over the last 30 years include: 
  • Nearly 10 million trees planted across Merseyside and Cheshire 
  • Created 600 kilometres of accessible pathways through 10,000 hectares of thriving habitat 
  • 42,000 community events held 
  • Brought in over £150 million of external funding 
  • Developed and delivered the award-winning Natural Health Service 
  • Developed the innovative Thrive Programme with Liverpool John Moores University, supporting curriculum-based use of the natural environment 
  • Developed programmes that store 2 million litres of water in the Mersey Catchment above communities at risk, helping to reduce flooding.
Paul Nolan, who has worked at The Mersey Forest since 1994, and is the current Director, said: "It's been fantastic to be part of the Mersey Forest's journey over the last 30 years, working alongside so many people who share the same ambition to deliver a greener future for the communities of Merseyside and Cheshire. Although we've made massive progress, planting millions of trees in the area, that is only one element of what we do. The stories of the impact we have on peoples' lives is really what makes community forestry special. Whether it is a life saved through the Natural Health Service or the people who've benefited from our Trees for Learning project, or even the homes that don't flood because of natural flood management initiatives, connecting people with nature is central to our work. Planting a tree is a symbol of hope and I hope the forest continues to bring joy to local people, making the places we live, work and visit vibrant and sustainable communities." 

Professor Eunice Symmons, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Chester and Chair of the Mersey Forest Steering Group, said: "The strength of the Mersey Forest Partnership comes from its local authority representatives working closely with community partners and an outstanding Mersey Forest team. Together they are dedicated to transforming residents' environments and life chances." 

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, who is the host authority for the Mersey Forest, said: "Cheshire West and Chester Council is proud to be the host authority for The Mersey Forest, one of the north west's leading environmental initiatives. The scale of the work that has been achieved by the team and The Mersey Forest partnership over the last 30 years is incredible, touching people's lives and making our area a green and thriving place to live, work and visit. I can't wait to see what is achieved over the next 30 years and beyond."

The concept of Community Forests was first introduced by the Countryside Commission in 1989, envisioning forests that serve as a green space for urban populations, with recreational facilities, art spaces, wildlife habitats and economic benefits.  

Some of the key projects that the Mersey Forest has supported over the last 30 years include: 
  • Helping to manage the Sefton Coast Pine Woodlands 
  • The award winning Urban GreenUP programme in Liverpool 
  • Bold Forest Park and the Wasteland to Woodland project in St. Helens transforming a former coal colliery into a vibrant forest and green space for residents and visitors to enjoy. 
  • Finding new uses for vacant industrial land in Knowsley through woodland creation  
  • Northwich Woodlands, now a major recreational area on land that was once waste 
  • Greening Wirral Waters, to enable regeneration 
  • Agroforestry projects, weaving trees into productive agriculture in Cheshire East 
  • One of the original partners of the Northern Forest, which stretches from Liverpool to Hull and aims to establish 50 million new tree.
The Mersey Forest is in the process of developing their new Forest Plan which will guide the partnership as it aims to increase tree cover in the area to 30% and create a better future for all our communities.

For more information about The Mersey Forest, visit the Mersey Forest website

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