Discover more about Greater Manchester’s trees and natural heritage and explore your local countryside at a series of events and walks being run by environmental charity Red Rose Forest this summer. 
Enjoy a guided walk through some of our fantastic urban green spaces, find out about the special trees near you, or make bug houses and bird feeders for your garden. 
Events are being held as part of Red Rose Forest’s Heritage Trees project, a new Heritage Lottery funded project set up to celebrate, record and protect special trees, woodlands, orchards and hedgerows. 
And a series of guided walks are being organised as part of our new Active Trafford Greenspace project set up to encourage walking and exercise in Trafford’s great outdoors.
The summer of events kicks off with a family stroll around Green Hill in Urmston on Wednesday, August 6th between 11am and 2pm. 

The two-mile walk offers a chance to learn more about local wildflowers and to take part in the Big Butterfly Count. Bring a packed lunch to enjoy a picnic with fellow walkers. The walk is free but booking is essential.
Then at the Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry on the weekend of August 8th – 9th it’s time for Makefest. 

The Heritage Trees team will be part of a team of inventors, crafters and coders taking over the museum for a weekend of hands-on fun. The free event includes a chance to try your hand at natural dyeing techniques and learn how to use berries and tree bark to dye fabrics. 
Saturday, August 8th sees another walk in Trafford, this time at Urmston Meadows and Old Ees Brook. 

Staff from Red Rose Forest will be on hand to help you spot different flower groups and identify their key features. The walk is free but booking is essential. 

Refreshments will be provided and walkers are advised to wear long-sleeved tops and trousers. 
Then on Tuesday, August 18th, learn to make bug houses and bird feeders with Groundworks at Queen’s Park in Harpurhey (M9 5SH). There’s no need to book for this free event, just turn up between 10.30am – 12noon. 
At the Pioneers Museum in Rochdale on Wednesday, August 19th join the Red Rose Forest Heritage Trees team to learn how to use natural materials to dye fabrics – and have a go at our traditional apple press to make fresh fruit juice.
The final event of the summer calendar is Go Wild at Sale Water Park and brings together the Active Trafford Greenspace and the Heritage Trees teams. 

This free family fun day will be filled with all things wild. Join us for a celebration of the great outdoors with natural play, storytelling, arts activities, a nature trail, traditional craft activities and demonstrations. The event runs from 12noon – 3pm. 
For all walks which require booking please contact Janie at Red Rose Forest on 0161 872 1660 or email janie@redrosefo​rest.co.uk

Janie Burrage, Active Trafford Greenspace Officer at Red Rose Forest, said: “We’re all set for a summer of activities which aim to celebrate Greater Manchester’s natural heritage. From our special trees, orchards, hedgerows and woodlands to undiscovered green spaces, walking routes and trails – there are lots of ways to get in touch with nature locally. Scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find our local towns and cities are brimming with natural wonders. 

  
“Through the Heritage Trees project and our Active Trafford Greenspace project we hope to help people discover new opportunities to connect with nature. So what are you waiting for … explore what Greater Manchester’s great outdoors has to offer this summer with Red Rose Forest.”

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