Mersey Rivers Trust has successfully crowdfunded over £15,000 which will be used to create a new wetland area in the Carrs Park, Wilmslow. This Crowdfunding campaign was run as part of Cheshire East Crowd, with Cheshire East Council matching donations made by the community. Wilmslow Town Council have supported the purchase of wetland plants and seeds through their Green Community Fund Award, and United Utilities have made a contribution towards the wetland project as well.

The 71-acre Carrs Park follows the meanders of the River Bollin and forms part of an important ‘Green Corridor’ connecting Wilmslow Park to Quarry Bank. The park contains areas of marshland which are recognised as an important natural habitat, however, a landscape review highlighted that these areas would benefit from further work and investment. It was from this starting point that the Carrs Park Wetland project began to develop!

The project will see the excavation of 4 - 5 new ponds or scrapes in the Carrs Park, as well as the connection of existing river, marshland and carr habitat to create the best possible habitat for local wildlife. The project will also support the control of invasive non-native species within the Carrs such as Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed, as well as the organisation and coordination of volunteer work parties for members of the local community.

By making the wetland areas of the Carrs bigger and better, they will store more carbon and slow the flow of water, cleaning it naturally and reducing flood risk. The wetlands will also create shelter, food and breeding grounds for a greater abundance and diversity of plant, insect and mammal life; this in turn will create a stronger more biodiverse ecosystem.

The wetland project has been made possible through generous contributions from the public with match funding from Cheshire East Council's Crowd Fund - Cheshire East Crowd, a big pledge from United Utilities and funding from Wilmslow Town Council.

We will work alongside the local community throughout the creation of the wetland and in doing so will provide skill building and learning opportunities for the local residents. These opportunities will include the planting of native wildflowers and reeds, control of invasive non-native species and the monitoring of water quality. The creation and maintenance of the Carrs wetlands will also be a chance for local people to meet other members of their community and make new friends, all whilst improving the natural spaces we use on a daily basis.

To keep updated on the projects progress please visit our Crowdfunding page: https://www.spacehive.com/wonderful-wetland-carrs