Project summary:
This project is designed to help implement the management plan for Glodwick Lows Local Nature Reserve through the following five key aims:

• Maximise the habitat & biodiversity potential of the site through enhanced management and use site surveys to improve the level of understanding (and information available) with regard to the type, number, extent etc. of the various habitats within the site.
• Keep the level of site maintenance at a high standard by implementing the site management plan through a range of contract work, staff time and local volunteers, with particular emphasis on the maintenance of the nationally important geological feature, to encourage use and optimise the geological experience of site visitors
• Improve site access & safety through the improvement of site boundary and entrance points, the introduction of new signs, waymarkers, and the promotion of existing self-guided trails, in order to:
  • Identify & raise awareness of links with/routes to other natural green space (e.g. Medlock Valley)
  • Protect and improve the biodiversity of the site by reduce soil erosion and habitat damage
  • Prevent/deter motorcycle nuisance and other antisocial behaviour on site
  • Give site users a feeling of confidence & safety, thereby increasing site usage.
• Raise awareness of the site, increase visitor numbers & encourage involvement in the management of the site by the local community, through the use of public events, new site signage, on-site interpretation displays, and the production of new publicity materials (in both paper and electronic formats).
• Improve the use of the site by local education institutions (both schools, colleges & universities) through the establishment of links with local schools, colleges etc., the enhancement of existing relationships between local teachers/LEA staff and the site Ranger, and the production of educational material.

Glodwick Lows LNR contains a nationally important geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – Lowside Brickworks – particularly significant for its Middle Carboniferous fossils. The reserve has also been important throughout Oldham’s history having witnessed the arrival of Iron Age, Roman and Viking invaders, medieval settlers, coal miners, quarrymen, hermits and dare-devil motorcyclists!

The site is composed of dry acid grassland, with some heather colonisation, and areas of woodland ageing from 10 to 30 years old. The planting includes oak, birch, alder, scots pine and larch.

The habitats within the reserve support a number of mammals, birds and insects. In particular, the site is an important location for mining bees.

Prior to the designation of the site as a Local Nature Reserve (in 2002), a considerable amount of landscaping and infilling work had to be carried out to reclaim Glodwick Lows as Public Open Space and improve access & views of it’s special features.

This work was then followed in 2000/2001 by the installation of an innovative sculpture trail (produced by a community artist working with local school children) and the production of a trail leaflet (part funded by English Nature & the Geologist’s Association) to aid interpretation of the unique fossils, geology, history and wildlife of the Lows.