The ‘Three species, one WILD comeback’ appeal has been launched by Lancashire Wildlife Trust:
- Aiming to raise £20,000 to help secure the future of the large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket and white-faced darter dragonfly.
- These species all live on our region’s lowland peatlands, 96 per cent of which have been lost.
- Donations to the appeal will directly fund habitat management and restoration, monitoring and surveying, species translocation/breeding programmes, and long-term recovery plans for all three species.
- Find out more and donate at www.lancswt.org.uk/appeals/three-species-one-wild-comeback
Dr Matt McMullen, Senior Nature Recovery Officer at Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: “This isn’t just about saving three species. It’s about rebuilding a whole ecosystem from the ground up. Insects pollinate plants, feed birds, and help break down organic matter. They’re vital parts of the web of life. Helping these species means bringing balance back to our peatlands.”
The large heath butterfly, locally known as the Manchester argus, had been locally extinct for over 150 years. Following a successful release at Astley Moss in Wigan in 2020, the Trust is seeking support to grow the population and expand to new sites.
The bog bush cricket, a bright green, short-winged insect, now survives only in tiny, isolated patches of wetland. The Trust hopes to translocate adults to newly restored peat bogs to boost numbers and protect the species from vanishing altogether.
The white-faced darter is one of Britain’s rarest dragonflies and is currently missing from Greater Manchester. The Trust is preparing sites for reintroduction, following successful work in Cumbria and Cheshire.
Lowland raised peat bogs are one of the UK’s most important habitats for both wildlife and for people. When functioning well, they store carbon, improve air quality, and reduce the risk of flooding to nearby homes and businesses. However, 96 per cent of Greater Manchester’s bogs were destroyed in the last 150 years due to drainage and the rapid growth of development and industry.
“These species would struggle to recover on their own. Large heath butterflies find it hard to fly far from where they hatched, bog bush crickets have suffered from fragmented habitats, and white-faced darters need very specific conditions to support the early stages of life,” Matt said.
“We’re giving them the helping hand they need, but we can’t do it without public support.”
This campaign is part of a long-term programme of recovery, backed by years of research and partnership through the Great Manchester Wetlands Species Reintroduction Group. The Trust works closely with experts at Chester Zoo, Manchester Metropolitan University, Liverpool John Moores University and other specialists and experts to monitor habitats and plan specialist reintroductions.
Donations to the appeal will directly fund habitat management and restoration, monitoring and surveying, species translocation/breeding programmes, and long-term recovery plans for all three species.
You can donate to the appeal via: www.lancswt.org.uk/appeals/three-species-one-wild-comeback
4. Contributed
Senior Nature Recovery Officer Matt McMullen scoops up some moss to check for dragonfly larvae Photo: Submitted