Despite playing an essential role in the Salford community, the Kersal Wetlands still require constant upkeep.
The Salford Rangers are currently responsible for the maintenance of the ecosystem and undertake various conservation tasks in order to ensure its survival.
One of these tasks involves removing willow saplings from the ground which are blown over from a nearby woodland area. Joseph Palframan, one of the rangers, often takes groups down to the wetlands to remove these potentially harmful saplings. He stressed the importance of this work:
The teams normally consist of both rangers and volunteers who come together to work on the landscape.
“The volunteer element serves lots of purposes.” Joe explained. “We really need their help and they get a lot out of it as well; I think everyone should do their bit for the environment.”
The area is free to access for the public and has multiple footpaths intertwining through the beautiful landscape.
It is a popular spot for runners as well as dog walkers and wildlife photographers. However it’s importance stretches further than just being a point of interest.
As well as becoming the home of around 40 species of birds, bats and other insect wildlife, the environment also doubles as a flood basin which helps to reduce the effect that extreme weather has on the area.
It was finished two years after Salford was devastated by flooding back in 2015. The river Irwell overflowing created huge amounts of damage across the city.
The importance of Kersal Wetlands is heavily underappreciated and tasks like removing willow saplings are vital to maintaining this picturesque, and useful, setting.
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