Nature is a visual form of beauty and often overlooked and taken for granted. Birchwood Shopping Centre is proudly supporting and raising funds for Risely Moss Nature Reserve, in the hope to make a difference and supporting the environment.
The Centre has supported numerous causes over recent years and for 2017 Birchwood have decided to support the local Nature Reserve. Risley Moss Nature Reserve was created following the last Ice Age and is locally referred to as the ‘mossland’. It is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its rare habitat and plants. The main feature of the Nature Reserve is its huge, beautiful mossland and stunning views from the raised Observation Tower, which has additional interesting facts relating to the bird species and landscape layouts.
The Risley Moss Action Group charity was formed back in 1990 in response to local concerns about Cheshire County Council’s proposal to close the Nature Reserve. The vigorous campaign to stop the closure included various press coverage and public meetings with dedicated local residents, organisations and enlightened politicians, addressed by Professor David Bellamy at Birchwood High School, which resulted in the closure being averted. The reserve is managed by Natural England, Warrington Borough Council and its site rangers, who nurture and taken exceptional care of the valuable asset.
Funds will be raised through the Shopping Centre’s Honesty Library as well as various events and competitions. Money raised will help support conservation work and aiding the site’s Rangers in; carrying out public events, practical maintenance tasks and wildlife surveys. Donations will also provide birdfeed for the 20 different species of birds seen from the woodland hide, during the cold winter months, and help to support community targeted events and equipment.
Birchwood’s Centre Manager, Gary Jones, commented “The team at Birchwood Shopping Centre are extremely proud to be working in conjunction with Risley Moss Action Group and hope to raise huge amounts of awareness and funds by hosting various fun events, competitions.”
Dr Paul Speake, Chairman of Risley Moss Nature Reserve commented “We believe that Risley Moss is a wonderful site where you can relax and enjoy in a place nearby, but seems far away from the pressures of day-to-day life and experience its beautiful rare habitats and wildlife. The Action Group are extremely grateful to Birchwood Shopping Centre for providing us with extra support and the chance to raise funds to promote public awareness of Risley Moss.”
For more information about the Nature reserve and opening times see the Warrington Borough Council Webpage for the moss at https://www.warrington.gov.uk/info/201262/risley_moss_nature_reserve. For more information about workdays and events to support the rangers, find us on our webpage at www.rimag.org.uk or for more up-to-date events and news like us on Facebook at Risley Moss Action Group.
To keep up-to-date on Birchwood Shopping Centre’s news and events, ‘Like’ us on Facebook: BirchwoodShoppingCentre, or follow us on Twitter: @BirchwoodSC