Spring is the perfect time to step outside and do something positive for the local environment. Whether you’ve got five minutes or five hours to spare, here are three ways you can make a difference in Stockport.
1. Join (or start) a local clean-up group
Clean-up groups are brilliant for tackling the small jobs that often fall through the cracks — the ones that make a big difference to how our town looks and feels.
These groups typically meet once a month, and you can join in as often as you like. Tasks often include:
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Litter picking
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Weeding and leaf sweeping
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Clearing footpaths
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Trimming overgrown hedges
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Sowing wildflowers or planting up public planters
You can find a local group by asking around on social media or checking noticeboards at local libraries or community centres. Can’t find one? Start your own — even a few volunteers can make a big impact.
Bonus tip: The Great British Spring Clean 2025 runs until 6 April — it’s a great time to get involved.
2. Plant a tree (or two)
Trees aren’t just beautiful — they’re vital. They absorb carbon, offer shade, shelter wildlife, and boost biodiversity.
If you have a garden, consider planting a tree (or more). If you rent or don’t have garden space, you could:
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Donate a tree to a school, community centre, or local church
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Support a tree-planting charity such as the National Trust or National Trust for Scotland
They’ll plant a tree on your behalf — and it’s a lovely gift to the future.
3. Create habitats for local wildlife
It’s not just people who need homes — birds, insects and small animals do, too. You can create wildlife-friendly spaces in your garden or (with permission) in local green areas.
Here are a few ideas to get started:
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Install a bird box or feeder
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Build a bug hotel from bricks, logs and brushwood
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Make a mini pond or fill a planter with water and aquatic plants
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Set up a compost heap — great for reducing waste and attracting insects
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Build a simple hedgehog hideout using leaves and fallen branches
Even the smallest of changes can have a big impact on Stockport’s biodiversity.
We hope this has inspired you to do a little something for your local environment this spring.
If it has, don’t keep it to yourself — share it with your friends, neighbours or community group.
Three Ways to Do Something Great for Your Local Environment
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Three Ways to Help the Environment in AREA
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Your Environment Needs You: Three Ways AREA Residents Can Help
Spring is a great time to get outdoors and help your local environment. Here are three ways you could join in.
1. Join (or start) a clean-up group
The idea of local clean-up groups is to help the environment by doing all those small jobs that local councils often don’t manage to do.
Clean-up groups typically meet once a month. You can give as much or as little time as you like.
Jobs done by these groups include litter picking, weeding, clearing public footpaths, trimming overhanging bushes, leaf sweeping, sowing wildflowers and planting floral baskets.
Track down a local group by asking on social media or at your local library. If you can’t find a group, then think about starting one.
You could also join the Great British Spring Clean 2025, which runs until 6 April.
2. Plant a tree or two
Trees help capture greenhouse gases, attract wildlife, provide shade and shelter and look good too.
If you have a garden, think about planting a tree or two.
If you don’t have a garden or if you’re renting, you could offer a tree to a local school or church. Alternatively, you could donate to a tree-planting scheme. They’ll plant a tree on your behalf.
The National Trust and National Trust for Scotland run tree-planting schemes.
3. Create more wildlife habitats
It’s not just people who need homes; our wildlife does too.
Here are some simple ways to create much-needed wildlife habitats.
They will help turn your garden into an eco-friendly haven.
Many of them can be set up in local public green spaces, too (although you may need permission from the council first).
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Put up a bird box.