United Utilities’ volunteers dig in to support creation of new riverside woodland

Teams of volunteers from United Utilities found themselves ‘branching out’ from their day jobs to support the creation of a new riverside woodland at Fishwick Bottoms, Preston.

Over two days, around 20 volunteers from the water company went along to plant native species as part of the creation of new woodland area which has seen more than 8,500 trees and over a kilometre of hawthorn hedge introduced on the flood plain.

The project is funded by the Environment Agency’s Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme and supported by Ribble Rivers Trust and Preston City Council.

As well as creating new habitat for wildlife, the new woodland will help create a more resilient riverside environment, reduce erosion along the banks of the River Ribble, provide shade for fish in the river and support the local otter population.

Trees planted include alder and willow which are suited to the wet ground in the area.

Mike Shiels a Delivery Manager at United Utilities was one of those taking part. He said: “It was great to put our volunteering day to such good use and play a small part in the creation of this new woodland knowing it will deliver numerous environmental benefits and be enjoyed by the community for generations to come.”

Anthea Rawcliffe, Project Executive at the Environment Agency’s Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme added: “It has been wonderful to see so many volunteers from local organisations coming together to support this important project.”