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Blackley Forest is situated in
the Crumpsall and Higher Blackley areas of Manchester, a densely populated urban area in the north of Manchester, and stands astride and to the east of the River Irk. It covers an area of 20.5 hectares.
The nature reserve has an area of heath land that is unique to Manchester, a variety of heathers are present and the
best time to see them is in spring.
Each year the forest is included in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain In Bloom competition, as part of the entry for Blackley. The site is an important part of the portfolio because of its strong community involvement,
its wide diversity of habitat, its rich abundance of flora and fauna, and its wild informality. In 2010 the forest won an outstanding gold award in the "It's your neighbourhood" category.
In 2001 the reserve achieved The Green Apple Award in recognition of the huge improvements that have taken place
within the forest.
The water quality of The River Irk that runs through and bisects the forest on the west side has been slowly improving
over the past decade. Unfortunately because of the industrial pollution over the last half century there is still much to
be achieved. All interested parties are working hard to achieve the goal of the river supporting shoals of fish. This
would achieve one of the original aims of the Friends Group - that the river again becomes a wildlife supportive,
vibrant part of our community.
The environment agency carries out water quality tests on the river every three years.
The agency has given an undertaking that when the water quality reaches the optimum levels, the river will be stocked
with fish. One can only hope that some day salmon and trout will again run in the river.
The forest was given Local Nature Reserve status in June 2005 by English Nature and Manchester City Council.
Click here to go back to 'About the Forest'.
The nature reserve has an area of heath land that is unique to Manchester, a variety of heathers are present and the
best time to see them is in spring.
Each year the forest is included in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain In Bloom competition, as part of the entry for Blackley. The site is an important part of the portfolio because of its strong community involvement,
its wide diversity of habitat, its rich abundance of flora and fauna, and its wild informality. In 2010 the forest won an outstanding gold award in the "It's your neighbourhood" category.
In 2001 the reserve achieved The Green Apple Award in recognition of the huge improvements that have taken place
within the forest.
The water quality of The River Irk that runs through and bisects the forest on the west side has been slowly improving
over the past decade. Unfortunately because of the industrial pollution over the last half century there is still much to
be achieved. All interested parties are working hard to achieve the goal of the river supporting shoals of fish. This
would achieve one of the original aims of the Friends Group - that the river again becomes a wildlife supportive,
vibrant part of our community.
The environment agency carries out water quality tests on the river every three years.
The agency has given an undertaking that when the water quality reaches the optimum levels, the river will be stocked
with fish. One can only hope that some day salmon and trout will again run in the river.
The forest was given Local Nature Reserve status in June 2005 by English Nature and Manchester City Council.
Click here to go back to 'About the Forest'.