Initially funded by the Greggs Foundation in 2020 and more recently with support from Deloitte, this partnership project is led by Mersey Rivers Trust and Groundwork Greater Manchester with partner support from Manchester City Council and the Environment Agency. The project aims to work with the local communities along the River Irk in Manchester to engage them with the river and its heritage.
Focused on the River Irk around Harpurhey Ponds, we run volunteer working parties with local people and businesses, train volunteers in river monitoring and river conservation skills and run education sessions for local schools, colleges and youth groups.
Our long-term aim is to work with the local community to improve the environment of the River Irk, improve access to the river for local people and celebrate the environment and heritage of the river. Working with Manchester City Council, we are also aiming to get the Harpurhey Ponds and Reservoirs and River Irk designated as a Local Nature Reserve over the coming years.
The River Irk - an iconic Manchester river that led the city into the industrial revolution and drove the rapid growth of Manchester in the 19th century.
The Irk is now recovering from 200 years of impact from that industrial revolution and population growth.
We now have fish back in the river and kingfisher, heron and bats flying down the river.
Love Your River Irk aims to continue the recovery of this important Manchester river for the benefit of local people and wildlife.
Find out more about the River Irk from our short YouTube video:
River Irk 2022
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