Blog written by Freddy Crisp, undergraduate student in the School of Biological Sciences 

My name is Freddy, and I am the vice-chair of the Tree Musketeers, the University’s conservation society. Our society’s mission is to help restore green spaces across Greater Manchester, partnering with organisations such as the RSPB, Groundwork, Manchester City Council, and more. 

Our typical tasks include tree planting, hedge laying, habitat management, wildflower planting, and occasionally even sphagnum moss planting. Our events take us all over Manchester, ranging from the peaks to the parks! 

Last semester we visited Fog Lane Park in Didsbury, where we met local conservation superstar Dave Barlow. Dave works for Manchester City Council in environmental management and urban ecology and told us all about the wonderful green spaces we have in the city. With Dave’s directions, the Tree Musketeers helped to manage a small woodland area, clearing faster growing saplings to allow the slow growing oak trees to thrive in the park.  

Even in this relatively small area of woodland, we saw wonderful wildlife such as a Eurasian Jay and plenty of invertebrates, showing how these native woodland environments can be so valuable in our urban green spaces. A particularly curious Robin also kept us under his watchful eye while we worked, making sure we didn’t disturb his home too much. 

We then went on to plant some native wildflower seed mix, with an insightful speech about our native wildflowers and meadows from Dave. All in all, it was another successful day of conservation thanks to our wonderful volunteers and organisers. 

We have many events lined up this semester thanks to our hardworking committee. If you are interested in coming along, you can send us a message on our Instagram (@treemusketeersuom) or by email (tree.musketeers@manchesterstudentsunion.com).  

We are always looking for more volunteers and it is a great opportunity to enjoy nature whilst learning valuable conservation skills! 

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