Planting the way to a greener Tameside

Greenspace volunteers working alongside Tameside Council’s greenspace team contributed an amazing 2,258 days last year to helping to care for the borough’s natural environment.

The work, highlighted in the council’s latest biodiversity report, highlights proactive activities taking place to help maintain a safe and greener environment across Tameside, as well as contributing towards the goal of being a carbon neutral borough by 2038.

Other examples of some of the work completed include:

• Meadow management – the Greenspace Officers and Volunteers spend time maintaining meadows, which encourages the growth of wildflowers, improves soil health, encourages wildlife and supports all-round meadow health.
• Tree planting and woodland management – trees have been planted in some of the parks and countryside sites across Tameside.  The team also carry out woodland management such as coppicing to ensure that existing woodlands are well maintained.
• Repairing paths, fencing and other infrastructure to ensure sites are welcoming.
• Carrying out drainage work and keeping ditches clear to reduce damage to land and property from flooding

The teams are planning a programme of upcoming activities for the rest of 2026, including habitat pile creation, woodland management, hedge building, litter picking and other tasks.

The fantastic team is celebrating 50 years of greenspace volunteering this year. Over the decades, they’ve made a real and lasting impact on Tameside’s environment.

Tameside Council’s Strategic Director of Housing, Environment & Estates, Julian Jackson, said: “The work completed by the team and volunteers is absolutely fantastic for Tameside. Their commitment to maintenance plays a vital role in keeping our towns safe, green, and welcoming for everyone across the borough and promoting a more sustainable environment for our future generations. It’s a great effort from all involved and I would like to thank them – and everyone who helps to look after our local areas – for their commitment.”

To get involved in volunteering in your local area, see here for more information.