A Biodiversity Action Plan for North Merseyside was launched in September 2001 and is one of many plans being implemented throughout the United Kingdom. The plan seeks to ensure that, together, we manage our natural heritage more effectively for the benefit of present and future generations, as well as for its own sake.

Biodiversity is simply the variety of life. It is not restricted to rare or threatened species or habitats, but includes the whole of the natural world from the commonplace to the critically endangered, and many of the species and habitats found in Knowsley are included in the plan.

At the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, our Government, along with 150 other countries, signed the 'Convention on Biological Diversity' to conserve and enhance biodiversity globally. Each Government agreed to implement national and local Biodiversity Action Plans and, as a key partner in the North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan, work is currently underway at Knowsley Council to ensure that the actions outlined in the plan are achieved in the Borough.

If you would like further information about Biodiversity and Nature Conservation work in the Borough visit the Knowsley Council Website.

Parks and woodland across Knowsley will be getting a face-lift thanks to a new job training programme.

The Landscape Apprentice Team will receive training and employment and the opportunity to get involved in urgent landscape and development work in parks, open spaces and community woodlands. The team of local young people will also carry out landscape projects that will significantly change and improve many areas across the borough.

Funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, run by Knowsley Council in partnership with Groundwork North West and Green Apprentices Ltd, the first task for the team will be at Stadt Moers Park in Whiston which needs path repairs, woodland thinning, the creation of wildflower habitats as well as the installation of signs and seats.

Team Leader, Martin McCoy from Knowsley Council, commented: "This training is a great opportunity for young unemployed people to learn valuable skills and experience in landscaping. At the end of the 12 month programme we hope each student will go on to find employment in this field.

Dave Gilbert, Operations Manager from Green Apprentices, commented: "We are delighted to have this opportunity to assist with the management of Stadt Moers and other such sites which will provide real work experience to our apprentices. We also acknowledge the on-going partnership, guidance and support provided by Knowsley Council."

Three local primary schools (St.Dominics,St. Bridgits and Nine Trees) in Huyton have recently been on a free field trip along the River Alt from the source to the mouth of the river. The project has been organised by the Alt 2000+ Partnership. The schools started at Huyton wetlands, which is the source of the Alt, then they went to Croxteth Country Park and they finished at Altmouth in Hightown, where the Alt meets Liverpool bay and the Irish sea.

The pupils met rangers at different points who explained the river and the processes going on relating to the national curriculum. The pupils all enjoyed themselves, especially the very wet areas at the source and at the mouth. Altmouth has been designated a Ramsar site and as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It supports a very wide range of birds who visit the site to feed on the shrimps, crustaceans and other shellfish. The project has been sponsored by The Mersey Basin Campaign, the Environment Agency, Knowsley Council and the Groundwork Trust.

National Science Week is a programme of events run by people and organisations who get excited about science in all its forms. As part of this celebration, Knowsley’s Sustainability and Environmental Development Division and Knowsley Arts Service have joined forces with “Nature in Focus” (Chantelle Edwards) and local artist, Katy McCall to offer local schools a unique creative learning experience at Stadt Moers Park.

Schools were offered the opportunity to learn about the environment around them and, by working with the Rangers, Chantelle and Katy the children have been looking at nature close up. They used a video-linked microscope to see the microscopic world around the Visitor Centre Grounds and interpreted the images into 2 dimensional art-forms.

The sessions were aimed at Key Stage 2 and fulfilled many National Curriculum criteria around Science, Maths and Art. The sessions were attended by children from Southmead,

St Mary and St Paul's, Eastcroft and Brookside Primary Schools and Knowsley Central Primary Support Centre. A fun session was had by all involved and Leisure and Community Services are arranging more school events for later this term including a willow workshop part-funded by the Friends of Stadt Moers Park.

If you require more information about forthcoming events and activities at Stadt Moers Park please contact Sarah Vasey, Environmental Education Officer on: 0151 443 3092.

The Environment Challenge is an annual award scheme run by Sustainability and Environmental Development Division (SEDD) at Knowsley Council. The aim of the competition is to raise awareness of environmental issues and enable schools and communities to carry out practical environment projects.

On the 22nd March, at the Huyton Suite, six schools and eight community groups will be awarded prizes ranging from £250 to œ1000. The Deputy Lord Mayor of Knowsley Councillor Friar will present the awards. Projects being rewarded will range from small scale litter projects to large landscape schemes.

For further information on the challenge contact Tom Eccles on 0151 443 2274.