2 ex-landfills + 750 trees = forever homes for wildlife
What happens when you take two ex-landfills and add hundreds of trees to create new forests? We transformed two sites in Stockport and Rochdale into sanctuaries for nature to thrive.
Nowadays we only landfill a tiny percentage of our waste. Almost all our general waste is recycled into electricity through incineration. These relics of the past were closed and covered 40 years ago. Typically, when a landfill comes to the end of its time it’s levelled and covered with topsoil. Weeds and grass then invade, but we knew more could be done to encourage biodiversity at these brownfield sites. Ex-landfills are ideal nature sanctuaries as humans are rarely in these spaces.
City of Trees plant trees for people and the planet to help create greener places, develop green skills and boost health and wellbeing to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergency. In Spring 2024, City of Trees planted over 750 trees on top of these old landfill sites.
All the plants introduced are native species. The mix of different sized plants were carefully designed to harmoniously coexist. Â Different layers of the forest including a canopy and shrubs will come together to create a dense habitat. The sheltered environment will attract a broad mix of mammals, birds, and insects.
The forests have been carefully placed to connect with existing woodlands around the sites. These newly created nature corridors will allow animals to move and live undisturbed. Rabbits, roe deer, and foxes already live on the sites. With water vole, bats, and a huge variety of birds living close by.
The trees do more than just creating a welcoming home for animals. They’re already starting to absorb CO2. This is a positive step towards our ambition to decarbonise waste and recycling sites. The decarbonation project is part of the Five Year Environment Plan. The plan aims for a carbon neutral city region by 2038 to improve the health of our towns, cities, and people. Residents who visit Bredbury and Chichester recycling centres can glimpse the forests as they mature at the sites.
