Why we set up ManifoldCAN and what we're doing

The Manifold Valley is a beautiful area in the Peak District, within which the Manifold River meanders, from its source in the moorlands near the village of Flash, down through meadows and limestone outcrops, until it flows into the Dove River at Ilam. 

It is rich in wildlife, including curlews nesting on the moors, barn owls flying over flower rich meadows, and white tailed crayfish in the Manifold River. However, while at first glance the valley is beautiful, there is concern that all is not well, and the valley is losing its biodiversity. Local residents and fishing groups are concerned that insects, fish, birds and plant life that were regularly seen on the river are becoming scarce.

Manifold Community Action for Nature (ManifoldCAN) wants to celebrate the nature of the valley, but also understand the challenges, and to find positive solutions that work for both nature and the local community.

With over 150 supporters within the local community, we have been active for just over a year, undertaking citizen science through the Riverfly Monitoring Initiative and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust's Nature in Your Neighbourhood project, and sharing information and conservation volunteering opportunities with the community, for things like Himalayan Balsam Pulling, Morridge Hill Country Landscape Recovery Project, National Trust volunteer opportunities in the Manifold Valley and the RSPB's South West Peak's Wader Warden programme.